Clermont cops play ball with Give a Day teens
By Payne Ray / pray@dailycommercial.com
CLERMONT — The Clermont Police Department went head to head with area teens in basketball Friday, offering a friendly game to students in the Give a Day Foundation's summer youth program.
Sgt. Malcolm Draper said they've played the game for the past three years to support what the organization does for area students.
"This is an annual thing we do, we work very closely with Otis and his organization," Draper said. "But who doesn't he work closely with?"
Otis is Otis Taylor, Give a Day Foundation founder and resident basketball referee. He said he's been working with the students every weekend since June as part of the Champion's Circle program, which is designed to build the confidence of young men and teach various life skills. Taylor started the program when he realized young men tended to fall behind women in volunteer hours, which often translate directly to scholarships.
Outside of Champion's Circle, his organization is known for volunteering with various projects and for its Home Assist program, which sends volunteers to help people with basic house work as well as transportation for grocery shopping and doctor's appointments.
Friday's basketball game, which featured Chief Charles Broadway on the CPD team, was just one component of the summer youth program. Each weekend, on Fridays and Saturdays, the small group of students participate in activities and workshops that focus on health and wellness, like the game, or on one of four other core values.
"Everything we do, we try to gear it around learning at the same time," Taylor said. On Saturday they are scheduled to learn more about physical health from a doctor.
The other values are to help students learn more about their identity, their potential careers and finances, and to instill a desire to volunteer.
The program runs June 1-Aug. 10 and is geared at young men ages 15 to 19. After the school year picks up Aug. 12, they'll continue to offer mentorship for the students.