Wild mustangs are known for their unbridled power and perseverance; much like the youth, coaches and mentors of Crossover Mission. Add the iconic Ford Mustang into the mix, and you’ve got a real confluence of winners. That’s exactly what occurred last Monday evening, as supporters of the nonprofit gathered at the Quail Valley River Club for a Fifty Years of Ford Mustang Celebration.
“I’m the connection with the Mustangs,” said John Vanderzee, whose son-in-law is Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. “But the student athletes of Crossover Mission are the real stars of the night.”
Ford had issued a limited-edition commemorative watch in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Mustang, and Vanderzee generously donated one to be raffled off. Vanderzee related that the 1965 car was introduced on April 17, 1964 at the World’s Fair and quickly went from zero to 60 in popularity.
Crossover Mission has enjoyed its own impressively rapid growth, and before guests enjoyed their buffet dinner, board member Bill Harris told them, “We’re the team; you’re the team. The educators, pastors, donors, tutors, friends and people who have helped us from the get-go, and we say thank you. We are doing this all together.”
Later, Crossover co-founders Antoine Jennings and Cathy De Schouwer shared the inspirational story behind their mission to change the lives of at-risk youth, drawing them in through basketball and giving them an even greater assist through academic tutoring.
“Sometimes we just have to dig deep to figure out what the root of the problem is,” said Jennings, speaking from the heart about how initial perceptions are often wrong. “A lot of time kids are looking for help but they don’t know how to ask for it. There are people who want to help but they don’t know how to give it. And that’s where it becomes important that we begin to tear down those walls and break down those barriers between black and white, the rich and the poor, different religions and beliefs. And that we bring everybody into a circle and get on one accord. Ask yourself, ‘What can I do?’ You have to be willing to accept some of that responsibility and put it on your own shoulders.”
Jennings said he tries to demonstrate the changes he has made in his life, including removal of the gold grill that was part of his former lifestyle.
“I’ve shared the story and I’ve told people about my background and where I’m from,” he said. “I’m encouraging the kids to be different and that there’s a better life out there. It’s all about the image and changing our mindset.”
Revealing an impressive list of accomplishments, De Schouwer said their players have consistently improved their basketball fundamentals as well as their academics. By the middle of the third year, 49 percent of their 75 participants finished on the AB honor roll. This year, 91 percent of their 44 middle- and high-school students are academically eligible for school teams and half have joined teams in a variety of sports.
“When a student rises to the level of acceptance into a school sports team, he is elevated to a new and higher academic and social status among his peers,” said De Schouwer. “This alone is profoundly uplifting and motivating for a young person and is the type of success we push our student players to achieve.”
As to that watch, De Schouwer says with a laugh, “My son Louis’ name was the one that was drawn. Of course, we didn’t want us to be the winner so my husband, Fried, jumped up and turned it into an auction right away. And then my 11-year-old daughter Elizabeth became the auctioneer and we earned an additional $1,200. It was pretty funny. Gail Norris was the high bidder, so she got the watch.”
For more information, visit crossovermission.com
