Paying it forward, Marines volunteer with their local Youth Impact Program

Photo By Cpl. Gabrielle Quire | Staff Sgt. Raphael J. Bell (center), armory chief with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, bonds with boys in the University of Michigan Youth Impact Program. Six Marines from 1st Bn., 24th Marines, volunteered to help make the difference for more than 100 at-risk male students from 20 different middle schools in Detroit through the University of Michigan YIP July 6–18, 2015. The YIP is an innovative summer program that partners with universities across the United States.  

DETROIT, MI, UNITED STATES

09.10.2015

Story by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire 

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

DETROIT - From providing humanitarian aid to guarding our nation’s freedom, Marines at Marine Forces Reserve are committed to making the world a better place, even when they’re off duty. From July 6–18, 2015, six Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, volunteered to make an impact on more than 100 at-risk male students from 20 different middle schools in Detroit through the University of Michigan’s Youth Impact Program.

The Youth Impact Program, was founded in 2015 by one of its chairmen, Riki Ellison a ten-year veteran of the National Football League and three-time Super Bowl Champion. The purpose of YIP was to create a positive and exciting atmosphere where troubled adolescent boys could learn the lessons of discipline, perseverance, self-respect and teamwork through organized football. Since then, YIP has made a difference in the lives of over 3,000 youths.

The YIP is a national, innovative summer program that partners with universities across the United States and their local National Football League team. The program is generally staffed by National Collegiate Athletic Association student athletes, university officials, and public school teachers to promote positive development in low-income, urban-based, at-risk middle school male students, between the ages of 10 and 14. The participants in this year’s program at the University of Michigan got a taste of the Marine Corps.

“What we did was both good for the community and the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Shane M. Tovrea, Communications Chief for 1/24. “We built rapport within the community of Detroit as well as with the kids in the area by giving them something to strive for and someone to look up to that has been successful in life and is a positive role model.”

Every morning, the boys were picked up at their bus location by the Marines and taken to the University of Michigan. They were ushered off the bus into a yellow footprint style formation and hustled to the locker room to change into their uniforms. From there, they would go to morning chow followed by their classes.

“Most of the boys hated the Marines by the end of the first day, but over time learned to respect and love them and the structure they provided,” said Ellison.

Marines in the classroom maintained good order and discipline within the students by making sure they were constantly paying attention and participating, while sitting left hand left knee, right hand right knee for the entirety of the instruction. After classes, the boys would gather outside for Marine Corps style physical training.

“What we did together at Michigan was much more than hone academics, it was leadership development for everyone involved,” said Ellison. “Our character development, respect for self and others came from the leadership of our Marines. Our U.S. Marines were in each of the classrooms and with their specific classroom teams on and off the field exerting discipline, commitment and tough love.”

During the two weeks that the Marines from 1/24 spent volunteering, they made an impact on the community of Detroit and exhibited the corps values that are instilled in every Marine.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2015
• Date Posted: 09.12.2015 21:20
• Story ID: 175634
• Location: DETROIT, MI, US