PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Shooting Touch Boston (STB) believes that sport is the most effective catalyst for positive human development. To supplement all of the natural benefits of sport, such as improved physical fitness, focus, and social skills, STB provides Boston-based, elementary and middle school girls of color with interactive, holistic health education relevant to their lived experiences. This play-based educational curriculum, coined “Court Clubs” allows athletes to discuss health issues impacting them, their families, and their communities, and increase their knowledge and understanding around such topics. Shooting Touch, in collaboration with STB participants, created six pillars of focus for the Court Clubs Health Curriculum: 

PROGRAM GOALS:

• Provide increased, holistic health education to girls of color

• Improved health and well-being for girls of color

• Increased health knowledge and understanding of available health services for girls of color

• Increased sense of togetherness, self-perception, and morale of girls of color

RECENT PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

• Provided 8 weeks of Identity Education to three (3) AAU The Right Way teams

• Provided 5 weeks of Healthy Relationships Education to two (2) AAU The Right Way teams

• Provided 8 weeks of Nutrition Education to two (2) AAU The Right Way teams

• 89% of participants reported "always" or "often" feeling comfortable with their identity, up 20% from pre-education surveys

• 85% of AAU The Right Way athletes feel more connected to their teammates following group enrichment

• 90% of AAU The Right Way athletes reported using health strategies learned on the court, off the court (school or home)

•  77% of AAU The Right Way athletes are at, or above the national average concerning “Relationships with Peers,” “Empathy, and “Trust” (Social-Emotional Development, PEAR Institute)