NFL* *Players today joined United Way professionals and youth from around the country at the United Way Youth Empowerment Summit hosted at American University. The three-day event engages participants in identifying opportunities to improve the academic success of students and create engagement opportunities for TEAM NFL members and their supporters to recruit readers, tutors and mentors.
"Youth involved in mentoring relationships have the opportunity to realize their full potential," said New York Jets tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who has joined United Way TEAM NFL. "Money alone won't solve the education challenge. Communities of support that give their time to advancing and empowering youth create a bright future for all Americans."
TEAM NFL is a volunteer group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players from teams across the league. The team members are committed to education opportunities and recruiting one million readers, tutors and mentors. As representatives of TEAM NFL, each player has a goal to recruit 3,000 volunteer pledges (99,000 total), accounting for almost 10 percent of the United Way recruitment goal.
TEAM NFL members include Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton, the 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year, Cleveland Browns WR Josh Cribbs, and Green Bay Packers WR Greg Jennings. To learn more about TEAM NFL visit unitedway.org/team-nfl.
The Youth Empowerment Summit culminates on Thursday, June 21, with the fifth annual Day of Action during which hundreds of United Ways around the United States will engage in service projects to advance education, income and health initiatives. In Washington, D.C., TEAM NFL will take to Capitol Hill and speak with members of Congress about education issues.
"United Way TEAM NFL volunteers play an important role in raising awareness and providing inspiration to youth around America," said NFL partnership director Tracey Holmes. "TEAM NFL recruitment efforts will advance the United Way call to activate one million readers, tutors and mentors and improve the academic success of our nation's youth."
In 2011, 258 United Ways representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participated in Day of Action volunteer activities. Day of Action took place at 1,235 project sites, which benefited nearly 250,000 Americans.
About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visitUnitedWay.org.
