Photos by Sean Hollins
By Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
Derek Jeter Represents the Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Principle of Kwanzaa: To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and solve them together.
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)-Too often we admire athletes for their abilities to slam dunk a basketball, run a ball for a touchdown, or hit a home run. For many of us, our admiration stops when we see these multi-million dollar stars being arrested for everything from drugs to dog-fighting. However, there are times when an athlete is a role model on and off the field, or court. Derek Jeter, Kalamazoo Central High School graduate and short stop for the New York Yankees is one of them.
Jeter recently visited his hometown of Kalamazoo for affairs in which he wanted little hoopla. A modest number of invited guest came to the unveiling of renaming of Kalamazoo Central High School Baseball Field to, Derek Jeter Field. Jeter, along with his sister, Sharlee Jeter (current president of his Turn 2 Foundation) sat onstage with local dignitaries and school administrators who shared words of praise to the hometown hero who has been a role model and philanthropist through his Turn 2 Foundation. The foundation began i 1996 as a way to give back to the communities of West Michigan, Tampa, Fla., and New York City. He has since awarded $13 million in grants for his Turn 2 Foundation Jeters Leaders program and other programs which motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and TURN 2 healthy lifestyles.
Along with his annual fund raising dinner in New York City, he hosts the Derek Jeter Celebrity Golf Classic in Tampa, Fla.. In 2009 the foundation donated $500,000 to launch the Derek Jeter Academy at Phoenix House in Tampa; a counseling center for troubled teens.
The 3,000 hit hero and captain of the New York Yankees also has best-selling books, and has earned various awards and recognitions from communities as well as presidents, governors and mayors.
According to a press release he stated, “I am amazed by the challenges that some of youngsters experience and they are still attempting to accomplish their dream,” Jeter said. “I try to encourage these kids that they can reach their goals no matter how difficult it appears sometimes, as long as they commit to living a healthy lifestyle.”
Turn 2 Foundation Programs which collaborate with other organizations across the country include:
(NEW YORK)-Camp Scholarships, Daytop, Derek Jeter/Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, Derek Jeter/Sonny Conners Scholarship Program at Queen of Peace High School, Jackie Robinson Recreation Center After School Program, Jeter Meter Program, Jeter’s Leaders Program, New York City Baseball Clinic, Peers Influence Peers Partnership, Sorrentino Recreation Center After School Program, St. James Recreation Center After School Program, St. John’s Recreation Center After School Program, Turn 2 Us Program, United Negro College Fund/Sharlee Jeter Scholarship;
(KALAMAZOO)- Derek Jeter/Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarship, End of the Year Program Trip, Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run, Jeter’s Leaders Program, Kalamazoo Baseball Clinic, Proud To Be Me-Douglass Community Association, Proud To Be Me-Washington Writer’s Academy, SMART Moves Program-Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, Student Assistance Program-Kalamazoo Public Schools and Portage Public Schools, Three Rivers Area Mentoring Extra Innings at Derek’s Dugout After School Program, United Negro College Fund/Sharlee Jeter Scholarship;
(TAMPA)-Derek Jeter Center at Phoenix House, Derek Jeter/Hillsborough Education Foundation Scholarship, Derek Jeter/St. Peter Claver School Scholarship Program, Girls on the Run Program of Southern Tampa Bay, Tampa Baseball Clinic.
