The
Somerville News: Boxing Club wins grant to keep
kids off the street
By
George Hassett
In
a drafty room inside the Masonic Temple on Highland
Avenue, a lone Somerville teenager shadowboxes
under a banner that reads “Victory Goes
To Those Willing To Pay The Price”. The
teenager dances, grunts and throws punches until
sweat pours off him and onto the hardwood floor.
But
Elvin Flores is doing more than training for
an upcoming exhibition bout in New Bedford,
he is studying in Somerville’s most unlikely
classroom—the Somerville Boxing Club.
Despite
producing two pioneering champions – John
Ruiz, the first ever heavyweight champion of
Latino descent and Raphaelle Johnson, the first
female New England Golden Gloves champion –
the Somerville Boxing Club tries to do more
than teach the basics of the sweet science,
according to the volunteers who sacrifice their
time and effort…
“I
try to consider what local programs have a maximum
positive effect on youth with minimal money.
The Somerville Boxing Club provides a unique
service to a group of kids who normally would
not be able to participate in sports because
of financial difficulties. Stoney and the club
help kids find their way to becoming happy and
productive members of society, and the volunteers
there do it out of the goodness of their hearts.
Stoney has always worked with youth in the schools,
speaking on drug and alcohol awareness. I thought
it was time to get them financially stable,”
said Capuano.
All
of the grant money from Operation Rehabilitation,
like the effort of the volunteers, will go to
helping the at-risk youth of Somerville. The
program, not yet completely designed, will feature
boxing, nutritional and educational aspects,
said Ann Cooper.
“In
the past, the only funding we had was whatever
we could get out of our pockets. Most of the
kids can’t afford the membership fee and
we never turn a kid away, so we were always
in a tough spot financially. But Congressman
Capuano is the greatest thing to ever happen
to us. We all love him down here for helping
to keep the club open to kids who have no place
to go after school but the corner,” said
Stone…
“This
grant gives every single kid in the city a chance
to pursue a dream while strengthening their
self-esteem and character. This grant will pay
back huge dividends in the future when these
kids become successful adults and role models
for the next generation,” said Capuano.
