COYOTES SHARE FAITH, HOPE AND REDEMPTION AT YOUTH STRENGTH ACADEMY

(INDIO) – The four-time champion SoCal Coyotes took a break from the rigors of their season recently to spend a full morning encouraging, counseling, nurturing and coaching the cadets of Youth Strength Academy, a summer stop for ‘at-hope’ middle-school youth in need of redirection.

Back for their third year, Coyote players and coaches played basketball, football and shared personal stories of faith, hope and redemption at the summer camp, which is part of Riverside County’s six-month Youth Accountability Team (YAT) program.

Each Coyote player was presented a certificate for their participation by Riverside County. From left, quarterback Jacob Russell, linebacker Michael Savage, defensive end Jake Sheffield, cornerback ShaRon Irwin, nose tackle David Williams, linebacker Kwame Bell, linebacker Gary Young, running back Timothy Mack, and running back Zavier Steward.
Most of the volunteers who work at the camp also work in law enforcement. They range from police offers to district attorneys. The Coyotes annually engage in on-field activities with the kids, culminating in an annual camp flag football tournament.

Afterward, Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Michael Tripp encouraged the Coyotes to share their personal testimonies and assist with the County’s reading programs at juvenile hall.

“The Coyotes really hit home,” Mr. Tripp said. “They are genuine. They care. Their stories are real. Their encouragement gives every kid hope. Everything helps when it comes to teaching these kids the importance of every decision they make, the choices they have, and the friends they choose – these things have ramifications far beyond their teenage years,” he said.

Riverside County statistics show the program works: Seventy-five percent of the youth who participate in the program never have any contact with law enforcement again.