With as many as 15 million children leaving school each day with nowhere to go other than the streets, one Connecticut self storage facility is doing something about it. New London Self Storage is offering a 10’ x 25’ sq. ft. unit free of charge to Heavy Hitters USA, a non-profit organization that provides after-school and early-evening wrestling, boxing and conditioning programs for kids and young adults from New London and nearby towns.
The after-school program’s goal is to keep kids off the streets. Program director Kent Ward said the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are critical because this is the time when kids need mentors, tutors and help with homework.
"We see these kids walking the street with nowhere to go, no one at home, just looking for something, anything. And we open our doors to them," Ward said. “We help provide guidance and mentoring with constructive stimulating activities that increase confidence and self-awareness, enhance self-esteem, develop trust in relationships and encourage achievement at home, in school and within the community."
Heavy Hitters raises money at fund raising events throughout the greater New London, Conn., area. Finding funds in the budget was a difficult challenge until New London Self Storage donated space. The program uses much training equipment, such as its mobile boxing ring, mats and other gear. It needed somewhere that was easily accessible.
Len Goldstein, owner of New London Self Storage, said the program is a worthy cause. “We saw these kids walk in off the streets, some of them following their older siblings inside. If they didn't have this program, these kids would have sought out drugs, alcohol or worse.”
Denzel Washington, actor and spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has said that adults need to mobilize to provide kids with daily activities and guidance after school. With national reports that dropout rates are approaching 50 percent in some communities across the country, the work Heavy Hitters USA does is commendable.
“Our children today are going where we lead them. We have a national crisis on our hands, but if every one of us gets involved, we can make a difference," Washington said.
Sources Used:
“New London Self Storage Donates to Non-Profit to Help Keep Kids Off the Street.” New London Day. Jan. 31, 2011.
“New London Self Storage Donates Space to Connecticut After-School Program.” Inside Self-Storage. Feb. 3, 2011.