Youth Excited about Sports
Building Champions,
Creating Legacies

Case for Support
A Capital Campaign for the Purchase of Property and New Construction

Youth Excited about Sports
130 SW. 13 HWY
Warrensburg, MO 64093
660.909.6797
kids@yeswbrg.com
www.yeswbrg.com

Standing in line to buy concessions at a YES event, the little girl looked up at her dad and with childlike sincerity and guileless honesty said it all: "I really like playing here. Coaches don't yell or scream at you."

After a few seconds of awkwardness, a YES volunteer selling concessions (and an obvious witness to the young girl's comment) offered a word of encouragement to her father, "I'm sure you�ll like this organization. Our coaches place a high value on character and teamwork. If your daughter's had a bad experience with sports in the past, this will be a safe and positive place for her to learn the game, to be competitive, and to still have fun."

"Yea," the dad agreed, rather sheepishly, "I think you're right. This is going to be a good place for our whole family." As the two walked away, the dad hesitated, looked back over his shoulder and smiled as he confessed, "By the way, I was her coach."

Bill of Rights for Y.E.S. Youth
You have the:
- Right to participate in after-school, education and sporting programs.
- Right to participate at a level commensurate with each child's maturity and ability.
- Right to have qualified adult leadership.
- Right to share in leadership and decision-making.
- Right to participate in safe and healthy environments.
- Right to proper preparation for participation in life.
- Right to an equal opportunity to strive for success.
- Right to be treated with dignity.
- Right to have fun.
Source: Institute for the Study of Youth Sports

Our Mission and Vision:

Youth Excited about Sports (YES) exists to teach the fundamentals of life to youth, incorporating Christian values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, cooperation, fair play and character-building while having fun. Our vision is to create an atmosphere where kids love to learn and have the opportunity to realize their physical, educational and spiritual potential.

Our History:

YES is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 2000 to create a safe and positive environment where children can realize their physical, educational and spiritual potential and have fun doing it!

YES founder and executive director, O. J. Rhone, explains, "Sports was always an integral part of my life. My father played semi-professional football. My uncle was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and also played in the World Football League (WFL). Even before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals and playing professional ball myself, I had already seen the power of competitive sports in people's lives�a power for good and for destruction. I often saw the principles of teamwork, respect, and self-discipline usurped and replaced by greed, arrogance and self-promotion."

Along with his five brothers and sisters, Rhone was raised by a single mother who worked hard to give her children a good foundation for life. Fortunately, the director of the local Boys and Girls Club recognized Rhone�s natural leadership and athletic abilities and became his friend and mentor: "Had it not been for his example and encouragement, my life might have taken a very different turn."

It is in this same spirit of advocacy for children living in disadvantaged circumstances, that O.J. Rhone first envisioned Youth Excited about Sports. With the help and support of many talented and committed men and women, YES was founded on Christian principles, following the practical example of Christ in showing respect and compassion for one another - even when it isn't easy or popular.

Mentoring Makes a Difference

Clearly, he was an exceptional ballplayer - that was obvious. Even so, Levon Lewis harbored little hope of using his pitching skills beyond high school. Said O.J. Rhone, "In his mind, college was not an option. For Levon, the idea of applying, let alone being accepted and paying, for college was an impossibility." Fortunately, O.J. had personally experienced the power and possibilities of having someone believe in you. Together, O.J. and Levon traveled to Northeastern Oklahoma A & M and before the day was out, Levon had a full ride to college. A year later, he was drafted to play professional baseball with the Detroit Tigers organization. As part of the negotiations, O.J. secured Levon's future education by putting in a provision that if he were released from the Tigers organization, they would pay for the remainder of his college at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Going that extra mile for youth is what YES is all about.

Can believing in a child really make a difference? Can mentoring a child really change the course of his or her life? Absolutely . . . YES!

Treating one another with civility . . . being self-controlled, even in the heat of competition . . . responding respectfully rather than reacting impulsively. What better way to teach these, and a thousand other life-lessons, than to have caring adults model this behavior day-in and day-out?

This is the essence and the power of YES . . . caring adults connecting with the children of Johnson County and Greater Kansas City, especially those living in difficult and disadvantaged circumstances. By using a variety of venues, including after-school programs, sporting events, educational programs and special activities, YES staff, coaches and volunteers desire to teach children how to win�not always on the court or in the field, but through lasting lessons that will ultimately help them win in the game of life.
Services

YES provides quality youth programs for disadvantaged, school-aged children in Johnson County, Missouri and Greater Kansas City. While future after-school programs will be partially funded by a low, annual membership fee, and recreation programs are currently funded by a low program fee, scholarships will be available for those who cannot afford the program costs. After-school activities and education programs will take place during non-school hours�after school, weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Sport, dance, and tumbling programs will be held primarily in the evening. The activity center and sports complex will be situated on the same property in order to provide easy access for all programs. YES gives children a fun, safe learning environment highlighted by positive adult supervision.

Anytime school is out - YES is in!

- Youth who attend high-quality after school programs have been found to have better peer relationships, emotional adjustment, grades, and conduct in school.
- Teachers and principals report that students become more cooperative, learn to better handle conflicts, develop an interest in recreation, reading and receive better grades due to participation in quality after-school programs.
- Young people who spend one to four hours per week in extracurricular activities are 49% less likely to use drugs and 37% less likely to become teen parents than students who do not participate in extracurricular activities.*
*from the National Out of School Time at Wellesley College, 2000


Our year-round program includes a wide-range of sports activities, such as:
- Volleyball
- Dance
- Tumbling
- Cheerleading
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball

Through the after-school program we will also offer educational programs, such as tutoring and homework help, service-learning and vocational training. Character education and mentoring are key elements in our philosophy and are implemented in every aspect of YES programs. The Character Education program is based on Character Counts, a national program that emphasizes trustworthiness, citizenship, respect, responsibility, fairness and caring�as well as through drug and alcohol awareness seminars, service-learning projects, career information and special events.

THE NEED

After-schools Programs Make a Difference
- Keeping young people safe
- Providing opportunities for positive and consistent adult and peer relationships
- Offering time for physical recreation and unstructured play
- Developing skills and interests
- Enhancing positive character traits and life skills
- Helping strengthen academic skills

According to the National Association of Sports Officials, that organization receives roughly two to three complaints a week regarding violent behavior perpetrated by parents and spectators at sporting events. Many were shocked to read about the Massachusetts' father who attacked his son's coach during hockey practice. The disgruntled parent knocked the coach to the ground and pelted him with repeated blows to the head. The coach, knocked unconscious by his attacker, died the next day.

While this is still an extreme case of what can happen when priorities are skewed and tempers flare, more and more of this kind of pressure-cooker behavior is being manifested at children�s sporting events across the country.

Jon C. Hellstedt, writing for The Physician and Sportsmedicine, reveals compelling evidence suggesting that the undue pressures placed upon children in sporting competition affect them in long-term, negative ways. Some even experience "sports burnout," avoiding physical activities altogether. Not only this, but physicians have begun to notice an increase in sports-related injuries in younger children. Research suggests that anxiety about winning not only impedes performance, but also makes players more susceptible to injury.

While adults may hope children will "do as they say and not as they do," we know this is unreasonable and unrealistic thinking. Children will always model what they see and experience firsthand. They will also model individuals that they admire. Fortunately, for the children participating in Youth Excited about Sports, their role models - coaches, leaders, parents, spectators, guest speakers, etc. - all hold themselves to a higher standard of behavior. Children are safe not only to follow the examples of "what is preached," but also "what is practiced."

Based on a recent survey, 72 percent* of YES youth participants live in families with very low- to moderate-income levels and from its inception in 2000, YES participation has grown dramatically . . . serving over 800 youth. (*figures based on YES participants who responded to our survey)

The problem with troubled youth is the biggest threat to the future of the United States. The amazing thing about this problem is that we know what the solution is "a memorable, positive life experience and a relationship with a caring adult: a teacher, a mentor, a coach, or a parent." -General Colin Powell

It is a fact that after-school programming and youth services is limited in Johnson County, especially for those who come from disadvantaged circumstances. YES is committed to filling this void in our community by reaching out to the 11,000 youth who reside in Johnson County - youth who are potentially missing out on opportunities to participate in a meaningful life experience.

Over the past five years, YES has provided quality programs, but it has been extremely limited in the age groups and numbers that can be served. Space is at a premium and, therefore, the number of YES participants is limited. Not only does not having adequate field and gym space limit the number of sporting programs and participants, but it prevents YES from expanding its vision to encompass all youth by providing a safe, affordable after-school program.

Without a sports complex or headquarters for athletic, educational and character programs, YES is unable to reach out to as many disadvantaged children as we could otherwise. A recent survey of registered voters indicated that 85 percent find it difficult for parents to find after school programs for their children. Statistically, juvenile crime triples between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. With a centralized location, not only can YES provide a safe, place for children to go (as opposed to being idle and unsupervised), but we can provide a great place for children to grow and to reach their full potential - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.

Great Place to Grow

In order to increase our capacity for participants and expand our programs, it is essential for YES to establish a Youth Activities Center in Johnson County that will cater to disadvantaged youth and their families.

New construction for a YES Youth Activities Center on six acres of property located at 128 SW 13 Highway in Warrensburg, Missouri will include:

- Regulation-sized basketball/volleyball court with two side courts
- Batting cages
- Office, mechanical and storage areas
- Showers and restrooms
- Multipurpose room with dividers for tutoring, computer lab, dance and photography
- Registration desk in commons area
- Kitchen and concessions area
- Recreation rooms with arcade games, pool tables and air hockey
- Outdoor playground

YES will also maintain and expand our partnership with area school districts, organizations, businesses and community leaders to enhance our programs and create new educational and athletic opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

Youth Excited about Sports is very proud of our association with organizations and individuals that share the same high standards of Christian character and positive programs.

Just some of our committed partners include:

- AndTech Computers, Warrensburg
- Mazzio's Pizza, Warrensburg
- United Missouri Bank, Warrensburg
- Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce
- Athletes in Action, an international professional athlete Christian organization
- Sal Fasano, member of the World Champion Anaheim Angels
- Muzzy Jackson, Vice President of Baseball Operations/Assistant General Manager,
- Kansas City Royals
- Les Norman, former Kansas City Royals player
- Jim Riley, member of the Miami Dolphins' "No-name Defense" and founder of an alcohol/drug treatment and outreach program
- Kevin Seitzer, former Kansas City Royals player
- Phil Shreves, Director of Financial Aid, Central Missouri State University
- Greg Tyler, Kansas City Chiefs Chaplain

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Campaign Goals for Phase I
Building Champions, Creating Legacies

Construction Cost of Building $1,868,200
Site Work $472,500
Building Pad and Dirt Work $29,400
Parking Lot $224,700
Road and Entrance $88,200
Sewer System $68,250

Total Goal for Phase I: $2,751,250

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YES Board Members:
Dan Brand, President
William Ward, Vice President
Lynn Carper, Treasurer
Denise Hoke, Secretary
Dr. Bradford Carper
David Young
Rex Smarr
Pastor Bob Ingle