reachwithin, the Grenada-based charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of teens and children who have experienced adversity, hosted 2 special soccer clinics at Tempe Playing Field on Sunday, 9 and Monday, 10 October 2016. A lively group of children, aged 4 to 16 from the Queen Elizabeth Home in Tempe, attended each session.
Jesse Jacob, a member of the prestigious BW Gottschee soccer club in New York City, led the clinics; BW Gottschee also donated the soccer equipment which will remain with reachwithin in Grenada. Also supporting the clinics were Jerry Bascombe, reachwithin Youth Program Coordinator; and Mackenzie Lawson, who plays for Loyola High School in New York City. Mackenzie first introduced Jesse to reachwithin in June when they spent 2 weeks in Grenada, working alongside Jerry, on a house building project for youth transitioning out of the care system.
“I am so happy reachwithin allowed me to come back to introduce the values and benefits of soccer,” said Jesse. “It was fantastic to see how the kids responded to the training over these past 2 days. Not only did they have a lot of fun playing soccer and mastering basic skills, but they also learned some important life lessons about teamwork, trust and commitment.”
“We were excited to put on this program to help build the kids’ pride and self-esteem,” said Dr Karen Lawson, reachwithin founder. “It is our hope they continue playing and that the skills they learn in the clinics will serve them well in life for many years to come.” For more information about reachwithin, visit www.reachwithin.org.
