Mike James Announces Community Partnership With Houston’s Fifth Ward Enrichment Program Incorporated.
The focus of the partnership is to develop programming that addresses many of the developmental concerns that faces our youth today, such as secondary education opportunities. Mike will award a deserving youth with a Two Thousand Five Hundred Scholarship ($2,500.00) from the Mike James Scholarship Foundation during the Annual Summer Awards Ceremony for FWEP, which will be held Friday, July 22, 2005 from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM at the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program offices located at Fifth Ward Baptist Church's Multi Purpose Center, 4300 Noble Street, Houston Texas.
This phenomenal scholarship award opportunity was made possible due to the generous support of MJSF donors Hilton Furniture & Mattress, MYAUTOSTOP. COM, Douglas D. Neustadt, Red Cat Jazz Café and Cold Laser Technologies.
The Fifth Ward Enrichment Program Incorporated (FWEP) is a youth leadership and development program for at-risk males, ages 12 - 19, located in one of Houston's most economically depressed neighborhoods. FWEP is designed to empower boys to become responsible men and productive members of their families and communities.
Founded in 1984, FWEP offers to 250 inner-city African American and Latino youth more than 20 support services that deter chemical dependency, teen pregnancy, school delinquency and dropouts, while promoting self-discipline, personal accountability, and self-esteem. These services are provided year-round through five program components: the School-based Projects, the Teen Enterprise Center (TEC), the Young Fathers in Families Project (YFIF), the Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP), and the Parent/Family Liaison component.
The School-based Project is the core program and truly defines the holistic approach to youth development that FWEP embraces. This project is housed in six schools in the Houston Independent School District's (HISD) Northeast District and provides project managers who monitor school activities, interact with teachers and administrators, and coordinate daily, after-school activities. The project managers are responsible for the delivery of the life skills curriculum, home visits, and individual and group counseling sessions. The project manager is recognized by the school's youth as their mentor "on campus".
Mike James of the Houston Rockets established the Mike James Scholarship Foundation in August 2004 for the purpose of helping young people of exceptional promise reach their full potential through education. As a young teen he faced many challenges, most were negative influences and discouraging remarks concerning his lofty career aspiration of becoming an NBA (National Basketball Association) Player. Day and night in the rain and snow, Mike was diligent about perfecting his craft. Bolden Mack Park became his home away from home located near Mike's boyhood home in North Amityville. "Having a dream and a desire is what has kept me going during the tough times," James said. "I wasn't going to let anyone or anything take my dream away from me." Mike credits his loving family and supportive community as key role models in his life that kept him on track. Because of his past experiences Mike has made a commitment to support the dreams and hopes of other youth.
The natural synergies between the two organizations will prove to be very essential to the growth and development of Houston's future leaders.
Among the contemporaries of the National Basketball Association (NBA) none display a greater natural basketball intellect than Mike James. However, his reputation rests more on the obstacles he's had to overcome instead of his various accomplishments. For this reason Mike has devoted his life to providing youth opportunities to realize their dreams through initiatives funded by the Mike James Scholarship Foundation.
If you're interested in attending the announcement ceremony, please contact the Mike James Scholarship Foundation office at (281) 584-0217 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Mike James will be available for pre and post event interviews for all media sources (print, radio, and television). For scheduling please use the contact information listed below.
Contact Information: Mike James Scholarship Foundation
Contact: Keith Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer
Address: Mike James Scholarship Foundation
11807 Westheimer, #550-223
Houston, Texas 77077
Phone: (281) 584-0217
Fax: (281) 584-9648
Email: emack@fwepinc.org
Event Location Information: Fifth Ward Enrichment Program
Contact: Ernest McMillan, Founder/Chief Executive Officer
Address: 4014 Market Street, Suite 105
Houston, Texas 77020
Telephone: (713) 229-8353
Fax: (713) 229-8311
Date: July 22nd, 2005
Camp Hours: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
