THE UNDERGROUND | EIN: Tax ID: 33-3954002)
Contact and Referrals: [email protected]
THE UNDERGROUND serves the underprivileged and underserved youth living in Gresham, Rockwood and East Portland. THE UNDERGROUND program provides a healthy and safe alternative for today’s youth instead of the street life many of them have grown up in and are accustomed to. With constant training, mentorshi
p, volunteering efforts, and community service,
THE UNDERGROUND is a FAMILY TO BELONG TO and beacon of hope for a population that so desperately needs one. THE UNDERGROUND provides a program where at-risk or under-served youth of any background can join our fitness community at a reduced, low or no cost structure. Our team engages at-risk youth and young adults including those who are gang-involved or gang-impacted. The initial groups will be held with schools in the Reynolds district and RAHS. We will also continue our partnership with the Gresham Police Department and host events that bring youth, officers, and families together to build trust, offer support, and break down the walls of resistance. MISSION & PRIMARY ACTIVITIES:
THE UNDERGROUND provides a network of programs through which at-risk or underserved youth of any socioeconomic background. We collaborate with specifically chosen community leaders to bring the importance of physical exercise, proper nutrition, and community involvement to these kids’ lives. Our presence in the community will bring positive change and reduce violent behavior through caring relationships that build kids up, offer life skill development, and tutoring/mentoring for education. We'll offer one-time events as well as ongoing classes, training, and internships. Imagine a country where kids grow up valuing fitness and nutrition, where youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are given the opportunity to improve their health, fitness, and personal development. With a vast network of services and providers we will connect at-risk youth, young adults and families with intervention services addressing their educational, employment, housing, health, and mental health. Teens from tough neighborhoods and difficult family lives choose to be involved in fitness, sports, and other positive outlets instead of drugs, gangs, and violence. After school, they will come to THE UNDERGROUND where they will sweat alongside other kids from their local community. They will also build relationships with adults from all walks of life. The gym is a perfect culture to introduce youth to people they'd never meet on the streets. They will work out and be influenced by entrepreneurs, professionals, doctors, mothers, fathers, and people that will positively impact their lives. HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THIS NEED? THE UNDERGROUND offers a positive framework and community to help at-risk youth grow into stronger and healthier individuals- both physically and mentally. Working out and eating well become second nature, and they learn life lessons in a supportive environment - discovering what they're capable of, pushing themselves to work hard and strive for something greater. Becoming part of a functional fitness family changes lives, but these changes happen on the individual and local level. We hope to reach these kids by offering free or subsidized access to fitness in their own neighborhoods. Our program has successfully helped at-risk graduate from High School and attend College. We have many success stories and young adults willing to share their experience if necessary. Personal health is a strong platform for future development; by giving them the right tools and encouragement, we can make a difference in the lives of individual kids and begin to create change on a larger scale. The future of America rests with our youth. PROJECT LEADERS:
Scott Bradley - President/Coach
Kelly Elkinton - Administration/Operations Manager
Gwenna Bradley - Underground Director
Cody Farnes - Coach
Aaron Dressler - Coach
Dave Unglert - Mentor
Mario Reyes - Coach/Mentor
Anna Glenn - Coach/Mentor
Kolby Glenn - Mentor
Maicee Bradley - Coach/Mentor
Lori Soriano - Coach/Mentor
Taka Yamamoto- Coach
WHAT ARE YOUR OBJECTIVES AND HOW WILL YOU MEASURE IMPACT?
• Physical Exercise: A way we hope to determine success through our program is to monitor changes in the kids’ self-esteem, work ethic, & progressions with workouts. CrossFit uses workouts to complete multiple times that will give us a way of quantifying change in each child.
• Proper Nutrition: We hope to change these kids’ lives through proper nutrition. Our goal is to offer at a reduced or no cost price, healthy snacks & other alternatives to junk food that the kids can enjoy before or after their workouts. We will also have daily sheets where the kids can write down the items they choose at home or school. Hopefully they will take something away from our program & share it with their families & friends.
• Community Involvement: CrossFit improves lives on 2 fronts: 1) Physical exercise, & 2) Community involvement. THE UNDERGROUND believes that through community involvement the children will begin to respect & care for the community where they live & go to school. We hope that through specific community events & different volunteering efforts, the kids will take what they have learned to their families & friends & carry on the involvement into their personal lives.
