What STUDENTS are saying

Learning how to play tennis was really fun.  I didn’t think I would like it at first, but I learned a lot. Chris, 8th grade student

What PARENTS are saying

We just wanted to say thank you for giving back to the community.  Our son is going to The Skills Center Summer Sports Camp and he is not only enjoying the experience, but he is also learning a lot. We can tell that the Instructors/Coaches are really teaching these children.  I know this because everyday our son has a story to tell or a demonstration to show us.  Thanks again, and I pray that this organization continue to be blessed.  You are doing a great job! 

Melinda and Eugene Welch

The Skills Center Jr Magic Basketball League is different than any other league my son has played in, from the first day I could see what my son had learned.

Miguel Davila

I have watched Coach Chris as he not only works with my son, but with other boys and girls as well.  He receives their respect on the court, because it is obvious that he knows and understands the game of basketball.  It is also obvious that he knows and understands the discipline it takes to focus on school, get good grades, play sports and establish positive friendships.  After each workout, Coach Chris has group talk with the boys and girls; in these talks, he focuses on what they have learned during that workout, and on how they need to transfer what the learned to their everyday lives. 
As a single mother, I am always concerned about having positive role models, both male and female, for Jay to emulate. I feel as if Jay and I have both been blessed with this wonderful relationship with Coach Chris; I am truly looking forward to further watching my son grow and develop under Coach Chris' watchful eye.

Sharon Bowie
Parent

What TEACHERS are saying

I am writing to express just how impressed I was with the summer sports program offered by Chris Ward with the Skills Center held at Shields Middle School.  As a teacher at Title I schools for six years, I have seen firsthand the sad plight so many of my male students face… However, what I witnessed during the summer program gives me hope that there is another was to reach these young men. I witnessed young boys show up every day for the Skills Center program eager, not only to play basketball or soccer, but to soak up the words of wisdom and advice Chris Ward had to offer them.  I watched as the boys eagerly stood in the hot courtyard to apply the Pythagorean Theorem by measuring the height of their shadows.  I have never seen a program that reached the students as The Skill Center did…this is a life changing opportunity for students.

Pamela Korzep
Shields Middle School
Reading Instructor

What our PARTNERS are saying

Now that the summer is over and I have a moment, I would like to express how impressed and pleased I was with working with the team at the Skills Center.  This is my second year working with the Skills Center and each year has proven to be a rewarding experience for the students and myself.  The staff is extremely professional, courteous and knowledgeable.  

The students looked forward to them coming daily and were eager to be a part of the Academic, Athletic and Life Skills activities and discussions.  The students were engaged and excited to have an opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills and share prior knowledge and experiences with their peers. The Skills Center staff focused on developing life skills on Character, Determination, Discipline, Commitment and Sportsmanship.

The games they played, movies observed and discussions were all designed to help students develop and manage skills in the classroom as well as life situations.

Thank you again for allowing this great organization to be a part of the HOST summer experience!!  I would love to have them as a part of HOST during the school year if that was at all possible.

Debra A. Barthlett
HOST Lead