The Bears School Outreach program wrapped up its 16th successful season on Tuesday, December 17, when James Anderson, Jermon Bushrod, Isaiah Frey, and Adam Podlesh visited four high schools in the city of Chicago.
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| Jon Bostic |
On Tuesdays during the football season and through a partnership with Youth Guidance, Chicago Bears players visited different Chicago Public Schools to speak to, motivate, and interact with students who are part of the B.A.M (Becoming a Man) and W.O.W. (Working on Womanhood) programs.
B.A.M. and W.O.W. are school-based counseling, mentoring, violence prevention, character development and social enrichment programs that promote social, emotional and behavior competencies in at-risk male and female youth. Both programs focus on core values as each value relates to personal and academic success. B.A.M. focuses on six core values, including integrity, accountability, self-determination, positive anger expression, visionary goal setting and respect for womanhood, while W.O.W. focuses on five core values, including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, visionary goal-setting and leadership.
During the 2013 season, 17 Bears players visited 20 different Chicago Public Schools in support of the Bears School Outreach program. During their visits, the players would meet with B.A.M. and W.O.W. students to talk about their experiences, and how they overcame some of the same obstacles that kids are faced with each day. Led by counselors from Youth Guidance, the sessions also focused on how students can integrate the core values of B.A.M. and W.O.W. into their lives, both in and out of school.
Bears players who supported Bears School Outreach in 2013 included James Anderson, Jonathan Bostic, Zack Bowman, Jermon Bushrod, Blake Costanzo, Isaiah Frey, Khaseem Greene, Josh McCown, Sherrick McManis, Fendi Onubun, Stephen Paea, Adam Podlesh, Jonathan Scott, Anthony Walters, Cornelius Washingon, C.J. Wilson, and Corey Wootton.
The Bears School Outreach Program was brought to you by the University of Phoenix, the Official Education Partner of the Chicago Bears.
