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Trenton and Atlantic City Youth Boxing Programs Land $130K Grant Boost
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and State Athletic Control Board (SACB) Commissioner Larry Hazzard Sr. today unveiled the recipients of a $130,000 grant dedicated to youth boxing and mentorship programs in Trenton and Atlantic City. This initiative marks a significant investment in offering fitness training, mentoring, and life lessons to young people in these areas.
The Ike Williams Boxing Academy in Trenton is set to receive $65,000 to launch an amateur boxing program, providing fitness training, boxing skills, nutrition education, wellness, and life skills coaching. This year-long program aims to positively impact 20 youngsters, offering three-hour sessions three times a week.
Simultaneously, the Atlantic City Police Athletic League (AC PAL) has been allocated a $65,000 grant to resurrect a youth boxing initiative that initially launched in July 2019, but was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"These programs we are funding transcend boxing and can have a far-reaching impact," said Attorney General Platkin. "Offering safe spaces for youth to enhance their physical fitness, minds, and wellbeing gives them an opportunity to better their futures. I’m proud to support our youth and their communities through these initiatives."
The Ike Williams program was selected due to commitments from several Trenton police officers, former Department of Corrections officers, and firefighters who will engage in the program, fostering positive interactions with the young participants in a non-threatening environment.
In addition to the boxing training, participants will engage in monthly workshops and field trips. The life skills seminars will be open to program participants, their families, and local residents, extending the benefits to the wider community.
One key objective of these programs is to foster an improved understanding between participants and first responders. Both initiatives are intended to keep youth out of the criminal justice system and reduce recidivism rates.
In Trenton, the program is also expected to boost academic success. Students will share their school report cards with the program facilitator, who will maintain regular contact with school personnel to address any academic or behavioral issues. Regular assessments will identify participant needs and direct them to relevant services.
The Atlantic City program, run out of the AC PAL Recreation Facility, will provide weekday activities from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for 20 youths. Referrals will come from schools, community-based organizations, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Youth Services Commission, and the courts.
The aim is not just to promote physical fitness and boxing, but also to provide life skills, career development workshops, opportunities to host an amateur boxing exhibition, and participation in amateur boxing events.
Both programs in Trenton and Atlantic City will target participants aged 11 to 18 from disadvantaged and high-crime neighborhoods, offering them safe alternatives and mentorship during after-school hours. Through these initiatives, officials hope to counteract negative influences that can lead to delinquency and gang involvement.
