Salie! aN eon th ae en! nee vi* vr oa ale oa “an hong} Portal: a ikeHey tees3 Ss ean fen einheow cE nt inducted at ‘Won d a rel a_ i eit Mc la and ih] ad 1of atGg nessa “sy secon a netme 4‘na OF SPORTS ~ Helping Kids Tackle Life Problems (NAPSA)—A number ofprofessional football players have teamed up to help some disadvantaged children live healthier, happierlives. The initiative, called Native Vision, is a youth enrichment and empowerment program for Amer- ican Indian children. American Indians living on reservations in North America suffer from the poorest health, socioeconomic and educational status of any ethnic or racial group in the United States. Native Vision’s goal is to ensure a brighter future for American Indians by focusing on healthy lifestyles for youth and families. For the nine years in partnership, the NFL Players Association has brought together NFL players to teach sports and life skills along with facilitators from Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health who provide health education at a yearround program and camp for American Indian kids. More than 500 youth from 25 tribes, 40 professional athletes and 1,500 Native community members attend the camp each year. The program was designed by Johns Hopkins and the NFL Players Association to cultivate the core strengths and values held by many in the American Indian culture. It also helps encourage the formation of positive relationships within the community. “Our partnership with Johns Hopkins brings awareness to help improve the health and future of American Indian youth. We hope others join us in the fight to educate and inspire American Indian young people to reach their goals in life through mentorship,” says Team Effort—Pro football players are helping someof the country’s most “at-risk” youth. Gene Upshaw, Executive Director, NFLPlayers Association. The Players Association raises money for Native Vision through events such as the annual “Evening with the Stars.” The celebrity dinner brings together football greats from past and present and features a silent auction of one-of-a-kind Super Bowl and Pro Bowl packages. The eveningis one of a number of efforts associated with the NFLPA. The group was started in 1956 as a collective bargaining agent for players in the NFL. It negotiates salaries, working conditions and salary caps, among other things. Today, it also backs a number of community efforts and causes across the country. For more information, visit www.nativevision.org.
