In an area that doesn’t offer many resources to families, one man decided that he was going to do everything possible to create better opportunities for the kids that call it home. Steven Hurst, ASES (After School Education and Safety) Program Administrator for the Modesto City Schools, dedicates his time to exposing his students to life enrichment activities that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience. ASES’s mission is to motivate, encourage and empower students, parents and staff members to recognize and achieve their full individual potential and become productive community members.
To help facilitate this, ASES implemented the USTA NorCal H.I.T.S. program in the school district. Making up 60% of the District, the Hispanic community has responded to it enormously we started with eight sites and 160 kids,” says Hurst. “Last year, all 19 sites carried the H.I.T.S. program and 380 kids participated in it.” With Hurst’s commitment and partnership with USTA NorCal, ASES has enjoyed great success in working towards accomplishing their mission. “I couldn’t have done it without the USTA Diversity and Inclusion Section Grant,” Hurst tells us. “What other after-school program is at no cost to the schools?” Hurst jokes. “But what is amazing is that when we reapplied the second year, the grant covered all 19 schools’ equipment,” Hurst said.
Hurst described the positive impact of bringing H.I.T.S. to his kids are exposed to is soccer because it doesn’t cost anything and our area has a lower social economic status in general. There is also a higher concentration of Hispanics who are mostly exposed to soccer as well. And because of that I felt this was a to something new but also gives them great values.”
Steven Hurst also explained that it reinforces everything the teachers talk about in their classrooms. “H.I.T.S. ties really well into our character education class and instead of talking about it, they experience it themselves.” Hurst decided to target 3rd grade almost no programs and activities were available to them. Last year, a H.I.T.S. Jamboree kicked off the program at ten sites which created great excitement from the kids for the upcoming season. “The kids remembered me from tennis and were so enthusiastic about playing tennis after school,” Hurst laughed.
USTA NorCal is dedicated to reaching under served communities and working with people like Steven Hurst to help him achieve his goals in providing quality programs towards creating a positive impact in his community. We are extremely pleased to partner with the Modesto School District and look forward to years of continued success.
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