The Sporting Chance

ACES Scholar-Practitioner-Leaders collaborate with members of the Justice and Restorative Justice systems to bridge the gap between human and material resources shortages, skillfully combine research, best practices, and experiential learning techniques to amplify your strengths and streamline your learning. Our Sporting Chance Program is directly tied to responding to, reducing, and eradicating the vestiges of the School to Prison pipeline (STP). Practical, realistic, measurable, timely, achievable, and specific programs and services are required to impact the STP and the institutions that benefit the most from the STP.

The ACES-N Sporting Chance Program reflects our understanding of the need for young men and women to have more than one chance to live right. We all make mistakes. The Sporting Chance Program leverages the power of sports and the opportunity to work in the sports industry. 

The SCP gives you direct and indirect instruction, support, and networking opportunities in the Sports Industry. The SCP is your way to remove the stigma of a Justice Involved history and move to a future that combines your passion for sports with opportunities for success.

New cohorts are beginning in January 2025!

The SCP is designed for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. This innovative course leverages the principles of sports and team dynamics to facilitate a smooth transition into society, promoting personal growth, accountability, and community engagement.

Throughout the program, participants will engage in a variety of interactive workshops, group discussions, and physical activities centered around sports. Key components of the course include:

1. Teamwork and Cooperation: Participants will learn the importance of collaboration through team sports, fostering skills that can be translated into positive interactions within their communities.
2. Goal Setting and Achievement: Using the framework of athletic training, individuals will set personal and professional goals, developing strategies to overcome obstacles and persist through challenges.
3. Leadership Development: Through coaching exercises and leadership roles in team activities, participants will build confidence, enhance communication skills, and prepare for potential mentorship opportunities in their communities.
4. Physical Fitness and Well-being: Regular physical activity is integrated into the curriculum to promote mental health, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being, essential for a successful reintegration process.
5. Community Engagement: The program emphasizes the importance of giving back, encouraging participants to engage in community service projects centered around sports, fostering a sense of purpose and connection to their environment.
6. Mentorship Opportunities: Participants will be connected with local sports organizations and professionals in the industry to explore mentorship and career pathways in sports and recreation.

By blending the transformative power of sports with a focus on rehabilitation, the Sporting Chance Program aims to equip participants with the necessary tools, skills, and support to thrive as productive members of their communities. Through shared experiences and the lessons learned in sports, individuals will cultivate resilience, build positive relationships, and embrace their second chance at life. 

The Sporting Chance program is the brainchild of our Founder and Chief Learning Strategist, Dr. Thomas. Doc created the first support program at the Boston Pre-Release Center in 2017 as a part of his volunteer leadership experiences through Jubilee Christian Center in the Mattapan section of Boston. Justice Involved individuals can use the power of sports as a vehicle to transform and bring positivity to their life.

* Prepare for transitioning back to your community or a new community

* Learn skills that are sustainable

* Build a network of support for persistence and success

* Learn the rules of the Games, the business of the Games, from People in the Games

* Develop tools and strategies for operating and leading the Games, and

* Get connected with key leaders and mentors in the Sports Industry.

New Cohorts and sessions for individuals are starting soon. Individuals with Child Abuse or Sex Offender designations CANNOT participate in this program. For more information on costs and participation, please contact us.