Local students were encouraged to set their sights on the future at the Community Outreach Celebration and River Hoops Rally hosted by Crossover Mission, in partnership with Indian River State College, at its impressive Center for Excellence facility.
The nonprofit, co-founded by Antoine Jennings, director of operations, and Cathy De Schouwer, executive director, helps students excel on and off the court through academic mentoring and basketball training.
Indian River State College brought along its Pioneers men’s basketball team, and community partners were also on hand, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County, Gifford Youth Achievement Center and Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, plus numerous other nonprofits who shared information about their programs and services.
The afternoon included a basketball game between middle school players from Crossover Mission and the Boys and Girls Clubs, and later a Pioneers scrimmage.
And representatives of the Indian River County Firefighters Benevolent Association presented a $5,000 sponsorship check for Crossover Mission’s 10th Anniversary Gala on Dec. 5.
After thanking everyone for coming, Jennings invited the entire Crossover staff to join him on the court.
“We cannot get anything done without these people. I’m really blessed to have such a great team that can collaborate, and that makes this place fun and a positive environment on a daily basis,” said Jennings.
Introducing board member Mike Reardon and board chairman “Uncle” Brad Lorimier, he said their support transcends race, religion and age.
“I call him Uncle Brad for a reason. He’s been with Crossover nearly since the existence of the program and he’s taken on a lot personally to make things happen. He’s called on a lot of his friends to challenge them to step up to make things happen for the program. And he’s cared about me personally in a deeper way than some of my own family has. So I say all this because sometimes love doesn’t come from the people that look like you,” said Jennings.
“But God will continue to put people in your life that can help you reach your goals and your platform. It doesn’t mean that the people you love don’t love you back, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities and the people that God has put in your life to help you reach your goals,” said Jennings.
Although they were unable to attend, he thanked Freddie Woolfork and Angelia Perry of Gifford Youth Achievement Center for enabling Crossover to establish itself by offering the use of its gym during their first two years of operation.
“And then lastly, and the most important reason why are all out here tonight, is that it’s really important that you all begin to see Indian River State College as a valuable resource, as an important part of our community,” said Jennings.
He thanked Pioneers coaches Phillips and Jackman, noting that while students had attended games and follow the players on social media, this provided an opportunity to meet them in person.
IRSC administrators were also on hand to speak with the students and their parents.
“We’re a very accessible post-secondary choice for these kids,” said Michael Schemel, IRSC director of development.
Annabel Robertson, IRSC vice president of institutional advancement, explained that through their IRSC Promise Program, they offer tuition-free AA and AS degrees to every public, charter or home-schooled high school graduate in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties.
“It’s been going on for three years. We currently have 4,300 Promise scholars,” said Robertson.
“The Promise Program’s AS degrees are focused on applied education, which allows kids to graduate with a degree that will take them into the workforce, so that might be an auto mechanic, nurse, police, fire. The AA degrees are focused on those kids that want to move on and do a four-year degree.”
IRSC offers 18 bachelor’s degrees, and she said they also have direct connections to state universities.
“We just very strongly believe in investing in the future of our community through education,” said Robertson.
For more information, visit CrossoverMission.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
