Re “A Second Chance for Gallant Boys Who Are Capitalizing on It”
Although we fell short of our dream to represent Southern California in the Pop Warner National Championship game in Florida, I am so proud of the young men on my Southern California Falcons Midget football team.
They had an amazing season.
Our Midget team won the Los Angeles County Pop Warner Championship followed by a spectacular run to Florida by beating the Colorado River champions and the Orange Empire Conference champions.
However, on Saturday afternoon, we lost to a great team from Arizona, 28 to 0.
The Falcons fought hard, but it simply wasn’t our night.
I am glad to report, that the team has been invited to play in a post-season game, the San Diego Bowl, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in San Diego.
This is a courageous group of underprivileged youths, from 13 to 15 years old, from South Los Angeles. They overcame tremendous personal adversities to position itself for a chance to compete against the best on a national level.
We have become a second family.
The Falcons Youth Football & Cheer Organization is part of the Falcons Youth and Family Services, a larger community-based program that provides a number of innovative programs that encourage participants to envision a future beyond their current circumstances, and free themselves from the sense of helplessness, hopelessness and despair.
Many have been with our program for about four years. My heart breaks at some of the things they’ve faced so early in life.
We look forward to spending a weekend of relaxing and enjoying the sights, sounds of San Diego.
Mr. Johnson may be contacted at www.fyfs.org
