CHARTER OAK AMATEUR BOXING ACADEMY
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Mission Statement
Mission: To keep at-risk boys and girls out of gangs, away from drugs, in school, alive, and on the path to post-secondary education through a holistic approach that centers on amateur boxing and supported by tutoring, mentoring, prevention education and life skills training. Vision: To serve as a trusted community institution that partners with families and other organizations to nurture, support and guide at-risk youth in becoming responsible, productive citizens committed to giving back to society. Values: • At-risk youth are our most challenged yet precious resource that we must invest in at all costs. • Prevention pays upfront dividends that are priceless in the end. • Education is paramount and the number one priority for all kids. • Mentoring changes lives. • Amateur boxing is a teaching metaphor for life that instills self-discipline, humility, tenacity and overall well-being. • A holistic, strengths-based approach tailored to each child “makes a difference” when supporting at-risk youth in overcoming adversity.
About This Cause
Established in 1988, Charter Oak Boxing Academy (COBA) is a grassroots non-profit organization that strives to ensure at-risk Hartford youth have a safe place to learn, grow and succeed during out-of-school hours. In particular, we want them to stay in and do well in school, graduate and move on to some form of post-secondary education, training or service. With boxing as the central “hook,” COBA offers boys and girls the opportunity to become great athletes and "Champions in the Ring," and more importantly, "Champions of Life” outside the ring. Young people learn skills for life, such as self-discipline, responsibility, teamwork and empathy. They also learn problem-solving skills, a strong work ethic and how to think critically and with reason so as to avoid and not perpetuate violence and bullying. COBA has two core programs: USA Olympic Boxing and Body & Soul Fitness. The first provides rigorous training in amateur boxing by professional coach-mentors, where metaphors are continuously drawn between boxing and life. The second offers physical fitness training, nutrition education and healthy living skills to ensure a strong body and mindset. Other programs focus on addressing urban trauma, social justice and racism; hands-on training in merchandising, marketing and small business entrepreneurship (using boxing paraphernalia); girls and boys leadership; and outdoor learning expeditions. In order to support the “whole child,” we also offer wraparound services like mentoring, tutoring, life skills education, relaxation techniques and work readiness training. Kids participate in educational field trips, cultural outings and campus events. Case management, supportive counseling, linkages to health/mental health services and assistance with basic needs also make up our wraparound services. While youth are encouraged to participate in each COBA program, it is entirely their decision. In this way, every COBA youth feels included. All COBA programs are embedded in a positive-reinforcement approach known as PRIDE, so as to reinforce healthy attitudinal and behavioral changes. Participants earn points for achievements at school, in the community and at home. After 100 points, they receive a piece of team apparel or a scholastic item, and continue on to earn more points. Special relationships with Trinity College and University of Hartford mean COBA youth not only benefit from mentoring and tutoring, but also develop relationships with undergraduates. These ties boost confidence and help kids picture themselves on a campus one day. COBA is situated in 4,200 sq. ft of space in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood, just across from a city park used for fitness training and recreation. Each year, COBA serves 135+ youth and their families. Participants are 70% Latino, 20% Black and 10% mixed race, White and Asian. Seventy percent have suffered trauma, 5% are disabled and 90% are from female-headed homes below the federal poverty line. Ten percent of kids are in foster care, adjudicated or DCF-involved. COBA has two full-time and 11 part-time staff, as well as 45+ volunteers.