Lito catches up with Super Bowl champ and Eagles legend Malcolm Jenkins at his Fantasy Blitz event.
Malcolm Jenkins Talks His Foundation's Plans for Philly & Life After Football with Press Pause Productions
MALCOLM JENKINS FOUNDATION EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH DREXEL FOR YOUNG DRAGONS SUMMER STEAM CAMP
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is expanding its partnership with Drexel University’s Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center and Lindy Center for Civic Engagement to offer a summer camp for local students to learn, experiment and experience the interplay between science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics and mathematics (STEAM).
Initially piloted with the ExCITe Center in 2016, Summer STEAM offers middle school students living near Drexel’s campus the opportunity to participate in unique arts-science learning activities. Starting in 2017, the Young Dragons program merged the Summer STEAM curriculum with the established literacy and enrichment programs of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement for a free six-week camp. The day camp, which is open to students entering fifth through eighth grades, will be held at Drexel this summer. “The goal of this innovative program is to engage, educate and inspire students, regardless of their background or financial resources, to explore cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics, and mathematics — STEAM — in a creative and exciting format,” said Youngmoo Kim, PhD, director of the ExCITe Center.
As part of the six-week camp, students in Young Dragons will explore music technology (acoustics and sound synthesis), visual arts (geometry and drawing/painting), computer game design and coding, dance (biology and movement) and athletics (sports science and technology). New modules will illustrate the basics of engineering behind the design of sneakers and building music-playing robots.The Young Dragons program has been designed specifically to meet the needs of children living in close proximity to Drexel. This two-square-mile is a federally designated Promise Zone due to challenges it faces associated with persistent poverty.
“The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is thrilled to be part of this unique collaboration which is having a tremendous impact on Philadelphia youth,” said Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles safety and the founder and chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.Young Dragons is an extension of the educational programs currently offered by the Foundation, including Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S., a life skills curriculum and The Malcolm Jenkins Scholars.Young Dragons students will participate in a special Open House event on June 18th. Campers will have the opportunity to meet Malcolm Jenkins and participate in a preview of upcoming STEAM activities.
YOUNG DRAGONS
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is expanding its partnership with Drexel University offering a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Design, Athletics, and Mathematics) infused summer program, called Young Dragons. Participating students will have the opportunity to examine technology and science through visual and performance arts and athletics, utilizing the methodology of the holistic STEAM approach.Initially piloted with the ExCITe Center in 2016 as Summer STEAM, this summer camp collaboration offers elementary and middle school students living near Drexel’s campus the opportunity to participate in a FREE six-week program with two-weeks of focused STEAM enrichment. This summer’s camp merges the STEAM curriculum piloted in 2016 with the established literacy and enrichment programs of 21st Century Learning Center and Lindy Center for Civic Engagement.͞The goal of this unique transdisciplinary program is to engage, educate and inspire students, regardless of their background or financial resources, to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, athletics, and mathematics — STEAM — in a creative and engaging form. As part of the six week camp, students in Young Dragons will explore Music Technology (Acoustics and Sound Synthesis), Visual Arts (Geometry and Drawing/Painting), Computer Game Design & Coding, and Dance (Biology and Movement). The program’s Athletics module will illustrate how science and technology can enhance physical health and training. All participants will have the opportunity to develop individual inquiry-based projects and participate in a student showcase on the last day of camp. STEAM enrichment would compromise a two-week portion within the six-week camp.
The Young Dragons program has been designed specifically to meet the needs of children living in close proximity to Drexel, in a two-square-mile area called the Promise Zone that has been federally designated for support due to the challenges it faces associated with persistent poverty.
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation is thrilled to be part of this unique collaboration, which will have a tremendous impact on Philadelphia youth.
When youth are exposed to new experiences like Summer S.T.E.A.M., they can see what’s possible, whether that’s a future career in music technology or coding or another S.T.E.A.M. field. It’s our vision and goal to provide them with a unique, innovative program that will open their minds and motivate them to complete their education, said Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles Safety and the Founder & Chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation.
The Young Dragons program is an extension of the educational programs currently offered by the Foundation, including Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S., a life skills curriculum and the Malcolm Jenkins Scholars. Prior to the start of the camp, students from McMichael School will participate in a creative Young Dragons Logo Design Competition. The student winner will be announced at ExCITe’s Open House on June 2 and have his or her logo design showcased on the program tee shirts.
On Friday, July 21, the Young Dragons will also have the opportunity to take an interactive tour of the Eagles facility and practice field. While at the facility,
students will engage in athletics and technology-focused learning modules, such as tracking their power outputs using the Eagles athletic training technology and participating in a special obstacle course, to gain first-hand experience of the importance of STEAM in a professional sports setting.
The expanded offerings in the Young Dragons program allows us to reach more children in the Promise Zone and engage them in the 21st Century skills enabled by STEAM learning.
Young Dragons is open to students entering first through eighth grades. It will be held at Drexel from June 26th to August 4th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Applications for this year’s Young Dragons’ program open on April 17th and will be made available through the following schools: Alain Locke Elementary, Morton McMichael School, and Martha Washington Elementary.For more information, please reach out to SMT@excitecenter.org indicating Young Dragons in the subject line.
TMJF Surpasses $100,000 in Scholarships to College Bound Students
On May 11, 2017, NFL Pro Bowl Safety and Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation awarded scholarships to New Orleans college bound seniors, participating in the Foundation’s Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S. program (Reinforcing Education With Activities, Recreation and Developmental Supports) program in collaboration with College Track New Orleans for their commitment to academic excellence, leadership and community.The awards presentation was part of College Track New Orleans’ 6th annual Launch to College Ceremony, held at The Historic Carver Theater in New Orleans. The Foundation honored 16 of the 48 graduating seniors from this year’s class of 2017 as Malcolm Jenkins Scholars. With this honor, each student received a $1,000.00 scholarship toward financing his/her college education. An inspirational keynote address was delivered by The Honorable Terri Fleming Love, Court of Appeals Judge for the 4th District State of Louisiana, to graduating seniors from more than 15 high schools in the New Orleans metro area, their parents and other guests in attendance.“We are so proud to continue our partnership with College Track New Orleans in our mission to creating a positive and lasting impact in the lives of young people and their communities. Each year, we are continually impressed by those students who apply for the scholarship. Their perseverance to transcend the limits of their circumstances, dedication to making a difference, commitment to their education and vision for the future is inspiring,” said Jenkins. To date, more than $101,000.00 in scholarships have been awarded by The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to 72 graduating high school seniors, of which 48% (35) are first generation college students.The event also honored college graduates from the second cohort of College Track graduates from the class of 2013, many of whom received scholarships from The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, presented the scholarships, which are awarded for Academic Excellence, Most Improved and Overcoming Adversity.
Malcolm Jenkins maintains strong commitment to New Orleans' youth
Malcolm Jenkins' last trip to New Orleans was in the aftermath of violence.He stood at a podium to deliver a tribute for Will Smith at the funeral of his former New Orleans Saints teammate, Ohio State brother and good friend. It was moving. It was heartfelt. It was somber.The tragic ending is one more reason why Jenkins hasn't surrendered on his mission for The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in New Orleans."Violence and crime happen every single day (in New Orleans)," Jenkins told me earlier this week. "Sometimes it takes those highly visible figures or something to make some realize what's happening every single day. It's really affecting our youth. It's not just adults dealing with this. It's our teenagers. "A lot of it is because they don't know they have other options. They've never seen any other options or any other ways to do things." Jenkins started the charity in 2010 while with the Saints to help supply New Orleans' youth with an avenue away from potential crime and violence. He wanted a route for those who wouldn't have dreamed about college to receive the necessary skills to make it there.
Jenkins will give another speech in New Orleans at Dillard on Thursday evening. This one will be more about hope and triumph. This one will be a victory speech over crime and violence.Through the foundation's Project REWARDS program and in collaboration with College Track New Orleans, Jenkins will award a round of scholarships for the fifth consecutive year to a selection of graduating seniors. It's the third round of scholarships doled out since Jenkins signed with Philadelphia in 2014."Obviously when I left New Orleans, I wanted to make sure everything stayed in tact," Jenkins said. "I don't see that changing. We started in New Orleans because we saw that there was a need. Just because I leave doesn't mean that the need leaves. So it's important for us to stay in the community and continue to help."It's a city that I love and that's supported me. I just try to do my part to give back."Someone like Troy Simon is exactly why Jenkins continues his efforts in earnest.Simon also will be a keynote speaker with Jenkins at Thursday's event. Simon was a member of the first group to receive a scholarship in 2012.Simon himself sometimes wonders how he's advanced this far.He didn't learn to read until he was an early teenager. As First Lady Michelle Obama described, Simon "would regularly cut school because the other students would tease him. When he did attend, he'd shove desks, start fights -- anything to get him out of class." Simon didn't want others knowing he couldn't read.Why does the First Lady know Simon's story? Read full article>>>
