Successful Star Powered Sports Faire Keeps At-Risk Youth Physically Fit

More than 350 San Bernardino County foster and kinship youth ages 11-18 participated in the 6^th Annual Foster and Kinship Youth Sports Faire on Saturday, June 9, at San Bernardino Valley College.  The Faire featured eight sports clinics

and free foster parent and caregiver training.  Sports clinics included:  football, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer, track and field, cheerleading/dance and added this year, volleyball.

Dennis Powell, former Los Angeles Dodger and Laura Brumund of California Family Life Center both opened the ceremonies speaking to the youth on how they tackled life’s challenges and never gave up on their dreams.  After speaking, Laura Brumund started the morning off with some warm-up stretches.

Each youth received free sports equipment from the sport they participated in and information about local programs to inspire them to continue to be active.  The first 50 youth registered for the Faire were surprised with a free Nike gift card.  Every participating youth received a free lunch sponsored by In-N-Out Burger; a goodie bag packed with SBVC information on financial aid, college life expenses, vocational and general education courses and an assortment of gift cards and freebies; and an In-N-Out Burger backpack and water bottle.

“The opportunities provided at the 6^th Annual CFS Sports Faire were expanded to give care providers training courses to meet ongoing requirements, while the youth in their care have a day of fun and physical activity,” said County of San Bernardino Children and Family Services Director DeAnna Avey-Motikeit.  More than 140 foster and kinship parents attended the free training sessions on “Identifying Strengths, Challenges and Barriers and Their Role in Helping

Children Reunite Timely with Their Families,” and “Foster Parent Support for Sports Activities and Nutrition Values for Youth and Adults.”

Many professional athletes and mentors volunteered their time to teach the youth the importance of an education and staying physically active.   Among a few of them are:

Football – Vincent Brown, recently drafted to San Diego Chargers; Lloyd Wilson, New Mexico State; Harrison Stewart, Chaffey College; Taylor Stewart, Chaffey College; Brice Butler, former USC player and current San Diego State player; Jamaal Anderson, University of Montana; Jayson Almond, current UCLA player; Tino Amancio, former University of Idaho Kicker and All-Arena Kicker; Shaun McClain, Weber State University; Ruben Guzman, Riverside City College; Cory Alcantar, Riverside City College; World Youth Football League and Bobby Pleasant, San Jose State University.

Baseball/Softball – Dennis Powell, former Los Angeles Dodger; Roosevelt Lett, former St. Louis Cardinal; James Guerrero, JG Baseball Academy and former San Diego State and Florida

Marlins player; Arnold Nichols, 2 Strikes Baseball; and Summit High School baseball.

Track and Field – Coach Michael Powell, SB Valley College Men’s and Women’s Track & Field; Ron Brown, 1984 Olympics Track & Field winner; Terence Abram, USC Track & Field; Justin Abram, Rancho Cucamonga High School, Track & Field.

Basketball – Sylvester Seay, CSU Fresno; Keith Closs, former Clippers player; Sammeon Waller, Don Lugo High School and Pensicola College player and Mike Stewart, Victor Valley College Women’s Basketball.

Soccer – Kristin Hauge, San Bernardino Valley College Women’s Soccer; Lorenzo Gonzales and Ronald Neilson, Rancho Cucamonga AYSO.

Cheer/Dance – Treasure Mamberg and the UNLV Cheer Team.

Volleyball - Corrine Flowers, Redlands High School and Marissa Booker, Corona Del Mar Volleyball; Lisa Jedlicka, Clemson University; Morgan Springer, Ole Miss; Staci Williamson, John Brown University; Rachel Hockaday, Iowa State; Margaret Young, Anderson University; Maggie Bee, Coastal Georgia.

For more information about the Foster and Kinship Youth Sports Faire or San Bernardino County Children and Family Services, contact Hugo Castellanos, (909) 428-4212.