On May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.
Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health System
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Middle school students from the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx had the opportunity to practice football and learn about emotional, nutritional and physical wellness with members of the NYPD and a New York Giants star player.
On May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System (SBH) — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College. The event, which also featured former New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa and 75 students from P.S. 20, 45 and 118, was planned for Belmont Playground, but was forced inside due to inclement weather.
On May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemGiants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was a special guest at the football camp.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health System
Christine Hughes, vice president and chief advancement officer at SBH, told the Bronx Times the event is entirely about the kids. For them to meet current and former professional football players and play football with the NYPD is a unique opportunity, she said.
Kids are also given a free meal and food to bring home.
“We want to shine a positive light on the Bronx and these kids and their families often get overlooked,” Hughes told the Bronx Times. “This is a day they will always remember.”
On May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemOn May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemGiants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux participates in a drill with the middle school students.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health System
The NYPD Sports Unit participates in events with children throughout the year. Head of the unit, Det. Alex Sandoval, a Bronx resident, said being part of a program like this allows the youth to see cops as regular guys.
“It (the program) humanizes them and shows them we are people too,” Sandoval said. “A lot of these officers come from the same neighborhoods these kids come from.”
Enuwa, who now broadcasts games on jets.com, did a few events with SBH in the past and immediately jumped at the opportunity when they approached him about joining forces last year.
Members from the NYPD Sports Unit and former New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa helped to lead the football camp.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemOn May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemOn May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health SystemOn May 10, Saint Barnabas Health System — in conjunction with the NYPD Sports Unit, Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux and the New York City Board of Education — hosted its second annual “Youth Football Camp” at Lehman College.Photo courtesy Saint Barnabas Health System
“It’s awesome that we give these kids an opportunity to stay active, meet players and have fun,” Enunwa said. “The Bronx has been disadvantaged for a long time, but the people of the Bronx deserve more.”
