We are a group of 15 – 20 volunteers that believe every kid deserves a chance and we understand that participation in sports has a, proven, positive correlation to a kid’s academic achievements. This is not an entitlement program. Every child must adhere to our credo and meet certain academic and behavioral standards. And, every child must “give back” by performing volunteer activities throughout the year. With today’s education cutbacks, kids must “pay to play” and many inner city kids can no longer afford to participate in school sports… we believe an idle child is not a good recipe for success. We chose a Triathlon program because:

1. it blends team success with individual success
2. it requires discipline and is difficult
3. it proves to the kids that nothing is impossible if they “step up” and meet the challenge
4. it exposes the kids to the Tri Kids motto of DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE, a great start to changing a cycle of negativity

Most of the kids cannot even swim when they join Tri Kids and many of them are overweight.  Most are not driven to their workouts by parents and yet workout attendance is over 96%.  Usually, when they are unable to attend, it is truly out of their control.

Why do we volunteer?

1. Last year, when we travelled to Florida to compete, the ocean was extremely rough. All kids were given the option of not swimming and only doing the bike and run portions.  Numerous local kids accepted this option…not one Tri Kid accepted this easy option.
2. It is awesome to see kids work hard and accomplish something they never dreamed possible.
3. It is inspiring to watch all of the kids run back out onto the course and encourage/run in with those kids that are struggling to finish. Or to watch Tina stop at the end of her swim to encourage her teammate (who was struggling) to finish her swim. Or to watch Calvin stop in the middle of his run to give encouragement to a complete stranger who was hurting.
4. We feel we’ve made a difference when a kid feels that it is “cooler” to be a Tri Kid and follow our credo than to be in a gang and follow their credo.
5. We believe it is important for the kids to volunteer and give back to the community.
6. While none of us are paid, the kids give us something more valuable than money. Yes, the program costs a significant amount of money but the smiles on the kid’s faces are priceless!