The Indianapolis Colts have partnered with U.S. Housing and Urban Development and the Indiana Housing Authority to bring athletics to low-income youth in Indianapolis. The program, called “Engaging Youth Through Sport,” aims to introduce kids living in Section Eight and IHA housing to sports, including football, as a way to promote healthy living and community engagement.
According to Indiana Capital Chronicle, officials from the Colts, HUD and other local agencies gathered at the Colts training center on Tuesday to announce the partnership.
“At HUD, we are in the business of strengthening our communities. Stronger communities begin by investing in young people. When young people have the opportunity, families are stronger. Neighborhoods are stronger,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, who also played eight seasons in the NFL. ”By working with public housing and local non-profits, we will set youth on the road to self-sufficiency so that they can graduate, find steady jobs and ultimately stand on their own two feet. And I know I speak for our entire HUD team when I say, we cannot wait to see the full fruits of this effort for our youth residing in particular in our public housing authorities across America.”
Along with teaching kids discipline and the value of working with a team, the Colts and HUD also hope that Engaging Youth Through Sport equips local children with valuable life skills, educational engagement and career prep.
While the programming is kicking off in Indianapolis, Turner said that the goal is to expand the program to other cities and NFL teams across the country.
”Things are on the mend, and HUD is there to see that we can continue to provide the services that are necessary in an effective way,” said HUD Region 5 administrator Duey Stroebel. ”We’re constantly working on that. There is progress being made. We’re bringing more investment into some of those buildings. It takes time.”
