Weekend of Champions

About Weekend of Champions

The Weekend of Champions is an award-winning charitable initiative that harnesses the powerful influences of sports, entertainment and corporate excellence to captivate, empower and connect communities across the nation.
The cornerstone of the Weekend of Champions program is its 360-degree approach to youth development and community empowerment. With program elements ranging from an educational sports camp for hundreds of youth to an educational health festival for thousands, the Weekend of Champions is able to successfully impact diverse audiences interested in improving its communities.

The Weekend of Champions has not only received support from gracious corporate underwriters, business executives and community leaders, but has also forged powerful collaborations with notable athletes and entertainers including Cedric the Entertainer (Comedian), Chris Berman (Sports Broadcaster), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Olympic Gold Medalist), Ray Lewis (NFL Linebacker), Alicia Keys (Grammy Award Winning Artist), Shemar Moore (Actor), Kurt Warner (NFL Quarterback), and Brian White (Actor) among many others.

It is this unique fusion of corporate, celebrity and community that inspired the Weekend of Champions title. Together, we can make a difference.

Community Collaborations

The Weekend of Champions takes pride in tapping into the collective power of the existing resources within each community to educate and inspire its youth for long-term change. To date, Youth Lifeline America has collaborated with more than 327 community-based organizations across the country to mobilize communities and serve the greater good. Upon conclusion of the Weekend of Champions, Youth Lifeline America works to maintain an ongoing relationship with each community partner to identify ways to stay connected and serve the needs of the community.

Celebrity Outreach Tour

The Weekend of Champions kicks off by sharing the excitement and energy with a diverse community audience. The Celebrity Outreach Tour features a group of celebrity athletes, entertainers and executives that visit numerous community-based organizations to encourage and empower youth. Tour elements include insightful Q & A Sessions, autograph signings, gift distribution, photo opportunities, workshops and more.

Life Skills Camps

The award-winning Life Skills Camps combines sports and education to provide
an innovative summer experience that inspires thousands of middle and high
school youth across the nation each year.

Education: In partnership with industry experts, business executives and
community leaders, Life Skills Camp participants are mentored with an
honest, entertaining and hands-on approach to cultivate the valuable life
skills necessary to become a more positive and productive citizen.

Life Skills topics include:

• Career Development
• College Preparation
• Computer/Internet Competency
• Conflict Resolution
• Diversity Training
• Esteem Development
• Financial Literacy
• Gang Prevention
• Goal Achievement Strategies
• Health/Nutrition
• Leadership Training
• Mentorship
• Social Etiquette
• Team Building
• Time Management

Life Skills Camp sports training is lead by national leaders in their
respective industries. Our training faculty includes professional athletes,
state-of-the-art equipment, knowledgeable support staff and other amenities.

By implementing our unique methods of training and education, Life Skills
Camps have earned an impressive resume of quantifiable results that
highlight its impact on the communities it serves:

• More than 70% of participants graduate from high school.
• More than a 75% of participants are currently employed.
• More than 65% of participants reported an increase in their academic GPA's
  from the previous academic year.
• More than 90% of participants reported a decrease in truancy from the
  previous academic year.
• More than 4,000 business professionals, community leaders, professional
  athletes and entertainers have actively mentored our nation's middle and
  high school youth population via participation in the Life Skills Camps.
• More than 50,000 free meals have been distributed.
• More than 60,000,000 calories have been burned through conditioning,
  workouts and practices.

The year following each Life Skills Camp, camp participants are eligible and
encouraged to participate in a host of field trips, workshops and other
educational/entertaining opportunities designed to help them stay focused
and reach their truest potential.

Night of Heroes

The Night of Heroes honors the unsung pillars of the community within each Weekend of Champions' host region. During this "Hollywood" style event, selected honorees will enjoy a complimentary evening of music, food, awards and fun hosted by celebrity guests from sports and entertainment. Night of Heroes honorees have included:

• YLA Donors
• YLA Volunteers
• Police officers
• Teachers
• Postal Workers
• Non-Profit Employees
• City & Federal Government Workers
• Sanitation Department Workers
• Single Parents

 

Our Plan To Expand

We are currently seeking dedicated partners to help us expand our reach and impact within communities across America. We believe the Weekend of Champions presents an excellent opportunity to engage in a quantifiably successful program that can be customized to fit your philanthropic needs.

To learn how you can become a sponsor for the Weekend of Champions, please click here.