Project Inspire: 5 Minutes to Change the World

I teamed up with Simmons College Head Coach Kristen Rasmussen in Project Inspire’s 5 Minutes to Change the World Contest (http://www.5minutestochangetheworld.org/). Project Inspire is holding holds its second annual contest offering 18-35 year olds a 5-minute platform to pitch their inspired idea to the

world.

Our Video Pitch:

Our Idea:

The Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc. (www.docwayne.org) seeks to train and certify Nigerian women in its therapeutic life skills curriculum, do the good, thus preparing them for employment in the African Basketball Organization (ABO) (www.africanbasketball.org). With the increase of female coaches in ABO camps, we aim to bolster camp participation and the accessibility of role models to girls.

Our Inspiration:

What is your personal source of inspiration? Becky-Doc Wayne GM
A group of severely abused, neglected, and traumatized girls changed my views of life and sport. After hearing their stories, seeing both their triumphs and struggles, and being invited into their world they transformed my goals in life and became my inspiration. To my team, sport was a gift, it freed them from reality and made them strong and powerful women. Nearly nothing was as valuable in their lives as the team. Being trained as a do the good coach I felt equipped and skilled to make sport a meaningful experience where life skills were the focus. I take inspiration from them to train female coaches and create opportunities for girls to be empowered through sport across the globe.

What is your personal source of inspiration? Kristen-Head Basketball Coach Simmons College
I want to use my talents to make the world a more equal, peaceful and safe place for all people. As a woman, athlete and coach I dream of a better world for women one day. My family inspires me to do my best and have an impact on those who surround me daily.
do the good.

Blades of Emotions-14 Seconds of Positive Thoughts

23rd Annual International Trauma Conference - Boston

I had the opportunity to attend the 23rd Annual Trauma Conference in Boston. Here are a few takeaways: 

• Play is a child’s right, not a privilege earned. 
• The experience of trauma is subjective and developmentally bound. What is traumatizing to one person may not be to another person. An event that could be traumatizing to a 3 year old may not be to a 10 year old. Their support system and other factors also play a role.  
• Chair Yoga Rocks!
• Kid’s brains and bodies are amazing at survival. If they are in a stressful environment, skills that normally would be developed unfortunately will be de-emphasized to keep living. 
• 5 minute "mental vacations" are a great skill to learn for kids and adults. 
• Helping caregivers become “feeling detectives” will go a long way in understanding youth’s behaviors and communication. 
• Sports and play allow families (and children and their caregivers) to have positive experiences with each other when they have had very hard things happen to them. These good memories will help them continue through therapy. 

RR

Doc Wayne - do the good Program Video

Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org)

Photos of the Week

Rebekah Roulier with Doc Wayne Coach Erika Montgomery from the Susan Wayne Center for Excellence at the CHEERS for CHAMPS event at Fenway Park. The best part of the evening was watching two programs (boys and girls included) interact positively and enjoy a Doc Wayne evening out.  After the event, players, coaches, and Doc Wayne staff had a pizza party together. (Photo credit goes to one of the fantastic SWCE players!)

Fun picture with Roxbury Youth Work's GIFT Program Staff after finishing our first seven week flag football Chalk Talk Clinical Group.
(Katie Carlson, LICSW, Rebekah Roulier, Ed.M., and GIFT Life Coaches)

An inspiring young woman's goals created during Chalk Talk flag football group therapy. 

Chalk Talk Playbook

Coach Joe (Pelham Academy) playing four square during CHEERS for CHAMPS

Coach Nikki and three Doc Wayne student-athletes at Dream Big's Leadership Conference!

Doc Wayne and African Basketball (ABO) Do the Good for Nigerian Youth

After having the opportunity to meet Eyo at our DtG training session in New Jersey a few weeks ago I can't think of a better person to carry out the train the trainer model in Nigeria. I look forward to supporting both Eyo and his ABO coaches. The power of sport as well as the unique ability the do the good curriculum has to reach children across the globe amazes me every time I witness it.  

do the good, 

RR

www.docwayne.org 

DOC WAYNE AND AFRICAN BASKETBALL (ABO) DO THE GOOD FOR NIGERIAN YOUTH

The Doc Wayne Athletic League and African Basketball Organization Begin Collaboration To Provide A Positive Path For Youth In Nigeria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON, MA, June 8, 2012:  The Doc Wayne Athletic League (Doc Wayne) and African Basketball (ABO) announced today that they will begin their partnership this summer to integrate Doc Wayne’s do the good sports-based therapeutic curriculum into ABO’s work with youth in Nigeria.  The do the good curriculum, which connects with youth on a sport level as well as teaches pro-social behaviors and life skills, will complement ABO’s existing initiatives to work with underprivileged youth in Nigeria.

Doc Wayne Executive Director David Cohen said, “This is an exciting opportunity for us as we have positively connected with youth here in the U.S.  Why not do the same with youth beyond our borders?  This is a natural partnership as our missions align well for the common good of connecting with youth through sport.”  

African Basketball (ABO) President and Founder Eyo Effiong said, “After observing how David Cohen and his team at Doc Wayne utilizes the do the good skills based program in the development of the social skills of at-risk youth here in the U.S., I realized that the youth at our summer leadership programs in Nigeria, and other African communities would benefit immensely if we introduced these life-skills tools.  We are very excited about this unique opportunity to partner with Doc Wayne.”

National coaches and mentors that the youth can look to for support are key and Doc Wayne has already begun the process of training coaches on the curriculum.  Initially the programs will look to work with 90 Nigerian boys and girls in Lagos to measure academics, violence reduction and pro-social behaviors.

For updates on this and other initiatives at Doc Wayne and the ABO, follow us on Twitter at:  @DocWayneDtG and @AfricanBBall.

About Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org)

Doc Wayne is a Boston, MA (USA) based 501(c)(3) non-profit with the mission of offering youth an innovative group therapy experience delivered through the medium of team sports stressing positive youth development.  Through Doc Wayne’s sports-based therapeutic curriculum, do the good (DtG), youth learn to perceive the world as less threatening and their ability to interact with their environment becomes more empowered and they gain greater self-esteem.

About African Basketball (www.africanbasketball.org)

African Basketball (ABO) is a 501(c)(3) US based non-profit organization dedicated to the development of Africa through sports. ABO organizes co-ed basketball programs, integrated with life skills, HIV/AIDS Awareness, and leadership education for participants, coaches, and administrators.  

MEDIA CONTACTS:

David Cohen                                                               Eyo Effiong

Doc Wayne, Executive Director                                 ABO, Executive Director

dcohen@docwayne.org                                             effionge@africanbasketball.org

617-458-0315                                                              864-569-6024

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