| Performance Initiatives Uses Athletics to Reach Youngsters |
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Performances Initiatives Inc. is a Savannah non-profit organization dedicated to helping and mentoring others by using athletics, fitness and education as tools to further achieve optimum health, while developing positive character traits. The organization's mission is simple: "We want to inspire and implement principles through programs which will enrich the lives of others physically, psychologically and spiritually," said Kerri A. Hanebrink Goodrich, the organization's executive director. Their community outreach programs emphasize complete involvement by thus planning events and fundraisers to help individuals in need.
The organization has many programs and partnerships, including Coastal Empire Weightlifting, Self-Defense Training, Goshin Jitsu Training, Nutritional education and general fitness programs, L.O.V.E. (Local Outreach Volunteer Educators) after school tutoring and mentoring classes, athletic conditioning programs for area middle and high school athletes, A Working Women in Need program with a fully computer networked classroom. Participants have the unique opportunity to get healthy in the gym located at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church's Family Life Center on Tennessee Avenue on Savannah's eastside. In 2008, the organization had 55 new members. By the summer of 2009, they had registered 148 new members. "As of late 2009, we now have members of Savannah High School's track and football teams training with us three times a week, fellow students from Johnson High, Coastal Middle, Jenkins, Meyers, West Chatham and various other public schools have all joined us, we now are serving well over 200 members of the community," Goodrich said. A youth group led Bible study through spiritual development is held each week and is open to the public. Coastal Empire Weightlifting is one of the sports programs offered through Performances Initiatives Inc. Their mission is to empower young people and adults through Olympic style weightlifting training. And last year many members of the CEW were successful by thus winning prestigious National School-Age Championships in an array of meets held at different locals throughout the U.S. Another sports program offered is the new self-defense training and martial arts program which is led by sensei Will Hiott of Kakko-ha Sogo Goshin Jitsu. Students learn street effective style self-defense techniques while building physical strength and mental preparedness. The program also focuses on character building principles such as Honesty, Love, Desire, Vision, Compassion, Courage, Discipline, Confidence, Resilience, Commitment, Respect, Self-control and Patience. This program which is offered to both youth and adult trains every Tuesday and Thursday night and two Saturdays a month. Miner League Baseball & Softball Academy, led by founders Tony Miner and Lamar Lester, just this year partnered with P.I. to provide baseball and softball training for these inner-city children who might not otherwise have an opportunity. Through the Miner League program, Performances Initiatives will pick children who are interested and qualify to receive free introductory to baseball and softball six week training programs at the Academy. "The various sponsorship levels dictate the number of children that will be worked with through our program. We here at Miner League feel that this program is no doubt a great way to introduce inner-city youth to the games of both baseball and softball. In addition to training, we will hang a banner in our facility for your business as well as a link on our Web site for one year." Lester said. If you have any questions, visit online at www.minerleagueacademy.com or call Tony Miner at 912-658-5516 or Lamar Lester at 404-786-8130. And for more info about Performance Initiatives, visit online at www.PerformanceInitiatives.org or call Kerri Hanebrink Goodrich at 912-507-7106. Contact me with all of your local sports news. Send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |