Programs plus Volunteer & Support Opportunities
Overview The primary goal of Crossover Mission, Inc. is to support Indian River County s at-risk and under-resourced youth with athletic training, academic tutoring, and personal mentoring, so they may reach their full potential and live successful and productive adult lives. Crossover Mission student players are age eight through 18. New members of the Crossover program are added continuously.
The Crossover Mission program has a two-pronged approach. Crossover Basketball Training Program Academic Mentoring Program (AMP) The Crossover Basketball training program makes the sport available to those who would otherwise be disqualified due to financial hardship, academic restrictions, or other family limitations. The Academic Mentoring Program (AMP) is an on-going tutoring program where student players academic performance is monitored weekly and assistance is provided. During the school year, the Crossover schedule emphasizes academics and athletics. Student players are engaged every day with these two components. During the summer, although we maintain athletic training and academic efforts, we shift gears and focus more heavily on mentoring and life exposure. We provide experiences that can shape the student players' vision about what is possible in their own education and careers.
Year-round Basketball Training, Monthly Games, and Competitive AAU Teams The Crossover basketball-training program conducts practices at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center (GYAC) and the Gifford and Storm Grove Middle Schools. This training provides the foundations of discipline, teamwork, confidence, and respect. The coaches interact with the families to promote awareness of the program and solicit family interaction and support. To achieve structure in year-round athletic activities and training in basketball fundamentals and fitness, practices are conducted five times a week. Tournaments are held one Saturday per month. Large tournaments are held twice per year. This year, in efforts to increase the level of outside competition, Crossover is forming elementary, middle and high school travel AAU teams. All student players are held accountable and are eligible to participate only when academic requirements are fulfilled.
Academic Mentoring Program (AMP) Student players academic support and mentoring and in-school advocacy are determined and provided at the Crossover Center on an individual needs basis throughout the school year. One-on-one tutoring hours are provided four days a week after school by staff and a host of volunteers at the Crossover Center. Any student player who does not maintain a C or higher average in all classes or who is failing any one class must attend weekly tutoring and work toward improvement to be eligible to participate in practices or games. Academic assistance is provided Monday through Thursday after school. Crossover Center open hours are 2-5 pm on those days.
Crossover Elite Fitness Training This is a program of training for Crossover middle and high school student players who commit to a fitness boot camp during the summer. Students work on improving athletic performance, speed, strength, endurance, and agility in preparation for athletic participation in the coming school year. Fitness levels are tested before and after the program to record improvement.
Course Recovery Tutoring and Student Advocacy Course Recovery Crossover is in direct collaboration with Gifford and Storm Grove Middle Schools, providing one-on-one support in Course Recovery so Crossover student players and non-crossover students may pass the grade and minimize the dropout risk. Course Recovery, sometimes referred to as Credit Recovery, is an after school program that allows students who have failed a subject to retake it via computer-based instruction. One-on-one tutor assistance helps these students focus and stay on task. Student Advocacy Crossover Mission, together with parents/ guardians, advocates within the school system on behalf of Crossover s student players with educational challenges. This advocacy and assistance to the student players and families enables the students to take advantage of programs within the publicschool system that are created to assist such students, but are out of reach of these particular children due to parent/guardian limitations in navigating school systems and bureaucracies.
Summer Mentoring Program In order for our Crossover student players to compete in the wider world, they need experience, skills, and exposure to the world beyond their local community that would not otherwise be available. This program has the specific goal of providing transformative life experiences that can impact student players view for the possibilities in life through exposure to, and experience in, the broader community of Indian River County and beyond. The program strives to change student players summers from a period of idleness to purpose-driven experience, from present-oriented thinking to futuredriven aspirations by inspiring skill development and dream building that will shape their approach to educational and athletic efforts. The Summer Program offers the opportunity for student players to attend and reflect upon: Field Trips University visits and college level basketball training camps Scholarships for local academic, artistic, and athletic camps Dining and tours of restaurants to promote fine dining courtesy and etiquette Swimming Opportunities for athletic training (other than basketball) Summer Reading and Youth Group Activities
FSU Basketball Camp Summer 2017
Crossover Test Prep Crossover management has identified the need for help in preparing high school participants for FSA/EOC testing. 90% of student players in Crossover cannot pass standardized tests that are required for high school graduation. With assistance from the School District of IRC, Crossover has organized test prep courses for reading and math for high school student players. The initial pilot for this program was completed in August 2017. Five of the sixteen Crossover ninth through eleventh grade student players who participated in the Crossover Test Prep course passed the SAT Reading section and fulfilled their reading requirement for graduation!
Crossover Academy Prep Within the population of Crossover student players, Crossover management has identified a population of high risk student players, approximately 20%, who continue to perform below a 2.0 GPA despite weekly tutoring, who score low on standardized tests (between 1-2 on FSA) and continue to exhibit disruptive behavior in school. We re here to help! The Crossover staff works with parents and student players to develop a strategic plan for the year, focusing on the long-term view. Programs include intensive mentoring and extended tutoring hours from 3-25 additional hours/week. Building our future together!
Programs Developed by Crossover For Our Student Players
Science For Shoes Earn Customized Athletic Shoes Students must complete all 17 units to earn their shoes. Science Units Social Science Units Atoms and Molecules Dealing With Bullies Changing Matter Dealing With Defeat I Can Prove It: Investigating Science Respecting Diversity Fossils and Rocks Skills for School Success Let s Classify Organisms Skills for Social Success Mix It Up: Solution or Mixture? Winning by Giving Studying Our Earth Winning by Teamwork Books donated by Rourke Education Media Grades 4-8 The Night Sky The Scoop About Measuring Matter Winning by Working
Complete 6 programs to earn a free bike. In collaboration with Bike Walk Indian River County, Inc. Six Programs Program 1: Brain Gain - Grow Your Intelligence Develop a Growth Mindset Program 2: The Magic Pen - Build Close Reading Skills Program 3: Growing Up - Preparing for Adolescence Program 4: Famous Inventors and Scientists Their Contributions to the World Program 5: The Great Composers - And Their Most Famous Compositions Program 6: Discovering Art - Understanding Artistic Styles Note: Participants must also attend a bike safety class provided by Bike Walk Indian River County, Inc. For more information, go to: www.crossoveracademyjunior.com. Grades 4-7
Level 1 Graduation: Complete 7 courses and 1 elective to earn a personalized letter jacket. Level 2 Graduation: Learn to type professionally and pass a typing test to earn a personalized basketball. Seven Required Courses Course 1: Motivation - Building Your Purpose Course 2: Mindset & Learning - The Power of the Brian Course 3: Be Your Best Self - Brain Smart Living Course 4: Up Your A Game - Based on 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Course 5: Computer Smart - Behind the Scenes: How the Internet Really Works Course 6: Syntax - Smart Rules for Good Writing Your name on the back. Course 7: Is College In Your Future? Explore All Your Options (You may be surprised!) Electives - 1 Required Give It Your Best Shot - Basketball Drills & Skills Universe 101 - The Hubble Telescope and Beyond For more information, go to: www.crossoveracademypro.com. Grades 7 & Up
The Crossover Mission Hall of Fame was established to recognize student players who not only demonstrate excellent basketball skills, training spirit, and sportsmanship, but also take responsibility for their academic performance, maintain a clean discipline record, and go beyond their own interests, giving time and service back to the Crossover community. We believe that young people who work hard to develop their athletic abilities and demonstrate strong performance character both on the court and in school deserve to be recognized and honored. Note: Go to www.crossoverhof.com for a more complete description and a list of the requirements and awards. Grades 9 & Up
Volunteer Opportunities Academic mentoring is more than just tutoring or homework help. It is a one-on-one, caring, supportive partnership between a mentor and a student player. This relationship is based on trust. Its purpose is to focus on the scholastic needs of the student player and work towards achieving his or her fullest potential. A mentor is a wise and trusted adult with a commitment to providing guidance and support to the student player. Academic Mentoring is also focused on developing growth mindsets, character development, etiquette, confident self-expression, and exposure to the broader world. Crossover student players want opportunities, but may possess alpha personalities. Tough walls have been erected around their hearts. They need a powerful force of goodness and love to guide them. They need the help of Crossover -- a family of belonging, striving, and achieving that provides a positive, life-building community of peer acceptance and approval.
Time Commitment The time given to mentoring depends on the tutor/mentor. Our regular sessions at the Crossover Facility run after school Monday through Thursday during the school year, except on school holidays. Some volunteers tutor one day a week, others more. Academic mentors who take on a fuller commitment give what time they can, according to need. Course recovery tutors generally give one to two hours a week after school. Course Recovery sessions take place on a school campus, rather than at the Crossover Center. We generally ask volunteers to commit for at least six months. Longer is better. Student players respond to caring individuals who stick with them over the long haul. Bonding takes time. Trust takes time. Our student players need both. Too often people in their world come and go. Sometimes they disappear with no warning. Hopefully, our Crossover mentors are not those who just come and go. We deeply appreciate a long-term commitment whenever possible. TUTORING SCHEDULE Crossover Mission Center (During School Year) Monday through Thursday 2:00-5:00 pm Open Facility Hours for Tutoring At School Sites (During School Year) Tuesdays 2:45 4:15 Course Recovery Gifford & Storm Grove Middle Schools
Getting Started As a Volunteer Volunteer Contact Person: Michelle Willis Training Facilitator 772-563-9457 or Cell: 772-538-8050 E-mail: mwillis@crossovermission.com To get started: 1. Submit the tutor/mentor application and complete the online background authorization. 2. Go to: http://www.crossovertraining.org. 3. Schedule a face-to-face appointment with a Crossover representative. 4. Audit a tutoring/academic mentoring session. More information about the Crossover Mission program can be found at www.crossovermission.com. Tutoring and Mentoring information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, can be found at www.crossovertraining.org.
Thank You Donors!
Crossover Mission Welcomes Your Support Crossover Mission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization primarily funded by members in our community through monthly, quarterly, and annual pledges. Support us financially as a group (church or civic) or individually. Your donation of any amount is gratefully welcomed and is tax deductible as allowed by law. $5,000 pays for one child for one year of Crossover activities, which includes year-round basketball training/competition, academic mentoring, school advocacy, and summer enrichment. $1,000 pays for one promising basketball player to attend a one-week intensive training summer camp at a Florida university, exposing the student to college level athletic training and a vision toward educational and athletic success at the college level. Heart of Gold Sustainability Giving For more information, please contact us today! tmills@crossovermission.com (561) 801-5987 $250 pays for one team sponsorship for a Crossover basketball tournament. $100 pays for an educational assessment, books and Power Tools for one student for one year. No amount is too small! Make checks payable to: Crossover Mission, Inc. 1965 42nd Avenue, Suite 3 Vero Beach, Florida 32960-2502 To donate online: www.crossovermission.com/donate Or call (561) 801-5987 CROSSOVER MISSION, INC. IS A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. NO GOODS OR SERVICES WERE PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR GENEROUS FINANCIAL DONATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.