After-School All-Stars builds kids’ confidence

Caitlin Hudgins

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 4:34 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 5 - 6, 2004

Breona Gray learned to play basketball six years ago when she joined a summer activities program called the Las Vegas After-School All-Stars.

Now 19, Gray earned a full-ride hoops scholarship to play for Notre Dame, her mother Dedra Edmonds said.

Breona, who graduated from Bishop Gorman High School last year, just finished her freshman year at an elite college, but her friends here in Las Vegas are the ones she met during her first year with the All-Stars, then called the Inner City Games, at the program's Clark High School site, Edmonds said.

"They were all in other leagues and on high school teams, so they would run into each other at competitions," she said.

Breona's basketball-playing with the All-Stars even won her mention on local television news.

In addition to teaching kids new skills, Edmonds believes the All-Stars program fosters teamwork and sportsmanship.

"It's a great program and a great opportunity," she said. "It teaches kids good values -- and it's a safe place for them to be on Saturdays."

Edmonds has cause to be worried about the safety of her children when they aren't in the classroom because 60 percent of youth violence, drug use, gang activity and teen pregnancy occur after school from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to the National Inner-City Games Foundation, the local program's parent.

The Greater Las Vegas Inner-City Games recently changed its name to the After-School All-Stars to reflect the program's new focus on changing that statistic, Executive Director Jackie Locks said.

The year-round program, which began just last year, includes homework tutoring, cultural arts, computers, and sports.

The after-school activities are available free of charge to students at five high-risk Clark County schools, programs which consistently drew about 1,900 kids on a daily basis this school year, according to Locks. The activities are also available -- for a fee -- at local YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs.

In addition to keeping kids busy on school year afternoons, the organization continues to offer the free summer programs it has been providing for 10 years to kids ages 7 to 17.

Starting today and continuing for three more Saturdays, kids can play volleyball at six sites around the Las Vegas Valley, from 9 a.m. to noon. The program includes free transportation with 20 school buses slated to make more than 100 stops around the community, Locks said. Participants will also receive a free T-shirt and snack. About 3,500 children are registered for the volleyball program so far.

Locks also expects about 1,000 kids to participate in the All-Stars swimming program, which runs from June through August. Children can sign up for one free swimming lesson taught by a certified American Red Cross instructor. The program, at 14 different sites, offers a session of five to six free lessons, depending on location.

To reach children throughout Southern Nevada, the program sends informational literature to parents through the school district and places a contact person at many schools to register interested children.

The All-Stars programs, funded by the National Inner-City Games Foundation as well as by grants and donations from local businesses and individuals, aim to build self-confidence and self-esteem, Locks said.

"By providing the opportunity for youth to participate in sports, education, cultural and community enrichment programs, we hope they'll be able to say 'no' to drugs, gangs and violence and 'yes' to hope, life, staying in school, and doing the best they can do," Locks said.

Merle and Mary Ruble think the program has achieved the goals Locks cited. Their daughter Nicole, 17, has been participating in After-School All-Stars for seven years.

"I think it (the program) has really made her self-esteem go up," Ruble said of his daughter.

Nicole almost always signs up for every program offered, her father said. Her favorites are basketball and soccer, but she has also participated in swimming, tennis and volleyball.

Ruble, who is a volunteer, and his daughter began their involvement with the program at the same school, but now Merle volunteers at Desert Pines High School while his daughter participates at Rancho High School.

Ruble has seen the same kids return to the All-Star program year after year.

"It's nice to see the kids grow up," Ruble said.

Christopher Winzer, 7, wanted to grow up as fast as possible just so he could get involved with the All-Stars, according to his grandmother, Binnie Gaskins.

"He couldn't wait to turn 7 so he could get into it," she said.

Since they moved to Las Vegas in 1995, all three of Gaskins' grandchildren have been involved with the All-Star program at Rancho. They've participated in basketball, soccer, swimming, boxing, volleyball and track and field, according to Gaskins.

"With teamwork, it's really helped them out," she said.

The program has also made the kids more outgoing.

"They were shy, and now they've come out of it," she said.

Gaskins has been a volunteer with the All-Stars since 1997, checking kids in, getting them on and off buses and handing out refreshments.

"Whatever needs to be done, I do it," she said. "I think the world of it."

For more information on the After-School All-Stars call (702) 382-5447 or visit lvafterschoolallstars.org.