1012 West Cherokee Street
Centreville, MS 39631
(601) 810-9428

 

This Document is intended to to provide the philosophical basis for the formation of the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network and to acknowledge the sacrifice of time and resources that our volunteers have made towards improving the conditions for the youth in our community. ​​

During the early morning hours of July 5, 2014, 18-year-old Darrius Morris was shot to death on Mangum Street in Centreville.  Charged in the shooting death were three youth; Roman Gaulden, 16 years old; LaKendrick Washington, 14 years old and Andrew Collins, 18 years old.   
 
After this senseless tragedy in our community, concerned and caring people linked by their commitment and willingness to take Personal Responsibility In creating a Desired Environment (PRIDE), began to talk with each other.   One constant theme from these discussions was that for several generations, local government support had fallen behind the developmental and recreational needs of our youth and that the children in our community have been denied the opportunity to be children.  It was agreed that the Children in our community were denied the opportunity to live up to their potential; failed on a grand scale due to poor economic conditions and historical social inequalities; denied basic recreational opportunities; left lagging behind children in other communities and were missing out on the childhood they deserve.   
 
These conversations focused on ways to identify, encourage, inspire and support the work of individuals, groups and organizations that are engaged in activities and programs designed to improve the quality of life and well-being for the youth in our community; developing community driven services in partnership with individuals, groups, organizations and agencies to help our youth reach their full potential; strengthening the social foundation of our community by building strong relationships that work together to support families, nurture leadership and develop self-sufficiency of youth within our community; and creating understanding and harmony among our youth through shared cultural and recreational experiences. 
 
With the primary goal of improving the Community’s ability to make positive change by promoting citizens’ involvement and action, and helping people from diverse backgrounds and experiences develop trust; understand each other’s experiences, and work together on solutions; The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network was formed. 
 
One of the first steps was to establish a cooperative working relationship with elected and appointed officials in our area, and in spite of some setbacks; the dynamics of local politics changed for the better. Discussions aimed at identifying how cooperative efforts among Community residents and elected officials led to constructive change within our Community, and are ongoing.
 
 Thanks to the efforts of the Centreville Mayor and Board of Aldermen/Women; Wilkinson County Supervisor Bubba McNabb and the late Wilkinson County Chancery Clerk, Mr. Thomas Tolliver, working with the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network, a grant from My Brother’s Keeper was awarded to the town of Centreville.  This grant funded the first recreation area in the town in more than 20 years. Funds were also secured to build restroom facilities and other amenities at the Centreville town park.
 
The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, also worked to assist our local communities in planning, and coordinating efforts to provide for our youth recreational needs. Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs are designed to counterbalance negative behaviors and outcomes by promoting positive alternatives, encouraging discussions and resolving differences among our youth, and teaching ways of solving problems before they escalated into violence. The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network determined that organized adult supervised athletic activities would provide a method to accomplish these tasks.   Our programs and services to accommodate the needs of our youth included sports activities, athletic leagues, cultural experiences and character-building skills promoted through leadership training, mentoring, social/self-awareness and life-skills training.     
 
Prior to the 2016 youth football season, youth in our area depended on the TNT Youth Football League for participation in youth football programs.  At the end of the 2015 youth football season, the TNT Youth Football League ceased operations.  To fill that void, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network agreed to assist in the development of a youth football program in our area.  A youth football program in our area was deemed beneficial to our youth because of the interest in such a program expressed by many of the youth in our community and the existence of similar programs in other communities. The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network agreed to provide the administration, strategies, and resources to lead this change in our communities.  It was acknowledged that establishing and maintaining a positive and productive working relationship with the Wilkinson County School District was absolutely necessary for the success of our youth football program.
 
As a direct result of the support provided by the Wilkinson County School District, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network was able to establish the Wilkinson County Wildcats Youth Football and Cheerleader Program. The Wilkinson County School District’s support enabled us to provide a positive, reputable and beneficial activity for our youth under the leadership of dedicated adult volunteers.  During the last several seasons, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network Program through it various programs has provided organized youth athletic activities for more than 500 youth.
    
Coaches and parents involved in the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network agree that our youth sports programs should be fun, social, safe, and informational.  Even though the competition increases as our children get older, parents and coaches still want children to participate in sports that are fun, provide opportunity for positive social interaction, that is safe and that provide a solid knowledge base.  Coaches and parents also believe that the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs do a good job of providing a fun, social, and safe experience for our participants. 
 
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network Coaches are selected at the beginning of each season.  The function of a Coach in Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs is to educate student-athlete through participation in competitive sports.  Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs are designed to enhance academic achievement and will never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student-athlete will be treated as though he or she were the Coaches’ own, and his or her welfare shall be uppermost at all times.  All Coaches are required to be certified through the USA Football Heads-Up football program.
 
The USA Heads-Up Football program uses a proven game plan to ensure safer play. USA Football trains the coaches and educate parents and players on the proper way of tackling to avoid injuries. The program educates everyone involved in youth football about concussion awareness and making sure players have the safest gear, which fits properly and is worn correctly. 
 
Through our youth programs, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network has undertaken a community service project to raise funds for the Camp Van Dorn World War II Museum.  In addition to expressing gratitude for the support it receives from the community, the community service project help teach our youth athletes responsibility; help them to become community minded; help them to learn good citizenship; help them feel good about themselves and know they can make a difference where they live.
 
Consistent with our commitment to continuous improvement, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network performs continuous program analysis to determine the effectiveness of programs and to make adjustments as needed.  As a result, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network made changes in some programs and prioritized others that will help the organization achieve our goal to promote community citizenship, good sportsmanship and physical and mental development through healthy organized competition and team work for our youth.  The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network identified and implemented strategies to address challenges concerning transportation, funding, public awareness and public participation. Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs are open to all, and does not restrict participation due to race, religion, gender or ability.  
 
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network program participants normally travel 4-6 hours to games away from home. This travel requirement places a heavy drain on the time and resources of the parents, players and coaches.  Additionally, even youth within the immediate area found it difficult to fully participate in our programs due to the distance between towns.  It was determined that participating in activities close to where the youth live would be beneficial.  Participating in programs close to where our youth live is beneficial to the parents, participants, coaches and the youth sports program.  It will allow time for the for the development and implementation of educational support programs for our youth.  The time and money saved by practicing and playing games close to home can enhance our programs by consolidated advisement and fundraising efforts in the area as well as in efforts to secure cooperate sponsorships. 

Business and individuals in the area are more inclined to contribute to a local effort that enable them to see their contribution at work and that reach more customers. Additionally, the coordinating youth sports programs in the local area will allow individual programs to benefit from the public awareness and participation that exist in the current structure of middle and high school programs in which teams in the area engage in competitive sports annually. 
 
To help address these challenges, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network worked with the residents of Gloster to establish the Gloster Hornets programs.  The programs included youth basketball, youth flag and tackle football and cheerleading.
 
 It is anticipated that the 2019, like the previous years, will present challenges and test the commitment and determination of the volunteers involved with the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network.     There are no paid positions in the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network. Consequently, the hundreds of hours that our volunteers spend with the youth of our community must be acknowledged and appreciated. 
 
As stated earlier, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network performs continuous program analysis to determine the effectiveness of programs and to make adjustments as needed. An adjustment in the 2019 youth football and cheerleading program will be the establishment of a program to be based in the town of Centreville. 
The establishment of this program is anticipated to have a positive impact on our youth, the Wilkinson County School District and the community as a whole.   The William Winans Middle School located in Centreville is deemed a failing school by the Mississippi Department of Education and as a result, the formation of the P-16 Community Engagement Council is mandated by the Mississippi Department of Education through Accreditation Standards 18 for any school district that has been designated as failing and for any district and/or school that has been designated below the level of successful by the State Board of Education.  The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network is a member of the Wilkinson County P-16 Community Engagement Council.
 
From its inception, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network believed that youth programs must provide more than “Something to Do” for our youth.  As an organization serving students who currently attend William Winans Middle School or will attend in the future, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network is uniquely positioned and committed to doing all it can to help our school become successful.  Understanding that the motivation levels of students are higher when they are involved in sports activities, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network believe that it can positively impact student’s in school and out of school performance.

In an attempt to motivate and encourage students, parents and guardians towards academic achievement and because not all families can afford the cost, the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network eliminated registration fees for participants in its programs.  However, a participant in Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs must have at least a 2.0 GPA, or equivalent with no grade in any subject being an “F” or otherwise unsatisfactory (“U”) and no disciplinary or conduct issues in school, on the bus, at home or in the community.  No child is exempt from this requirement.  Exceptions to this requirement made be made at the sole discretion of the Commissioner after consulting with the participant, participant’s parents and Head Coach with the most important factor to be considered is the participant’s and parent’s attitude toward improvement. The skill level of the participant will not be considered.  Current and former educators in the area have agreed to provide tutoring assistance to participants when needed. Whenever the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network become aware of a conduct issue that appears to be persistent, the Commissioner after obtaining the parent’s permission, forwards the parents contact information to licensed counselor for assistance. 
 
Summary

Since its inception, Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network programs served more than 500 participants in various sports activities (baseball, flag and tackle football, cheerleading and basketball) in the towns of Centreville, Gloster and Woodville. In doing so, we are moving towards our goal of providing a safe and orderly environment where tomorrow's leaders can build character, self-esteem, self-confidence, reach their full potential and become productive members of society.
 
Detractors, doubters and skeptics will talk about the past and the cultural, racial, political and any other differences that divide the people of Centreville, Crosby, Liberty, Gloster and Woodville.  The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network realizes that it serves us better to recognize that the promise of tomorrow outweighs all of the differences of yesterday. Instead of allowing differences to dictate our current association, the Wilk-Amite Youth action Network is working to develop understanding and find solutions to problems.
 
Living in a small town in Amite and Wilkinson county presents challenges that make it difficult to pull things together.  Small towns have a substantial challenge when it comes to establishing new programs - the lack of funding. Small towns have all the challenges of a big city without the resources.  Additionally, the same people are often called upon to help put community projects together and there are not enough of them to carry the weight and accomplish that needs to be done.  Oftentimes they get frustrated and exhausted.   The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network will confront this challenge with the most powerful words in problem solving; communication, cooperation, collaboration and participation.  
 
The formation of the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network has been interesting and full of learning experiences. There is no disappointment in our effort. We know that one of the great things about what we do is that we can all work on doing things better.  And, when everyone works harder, we will all be rewarded for it. We will work harder and we will ask our participants to work harder both in sports activities and in the classroom. We have made some tough decisions, and there is no doubt that in the future, we will again make more tough decisions but; we will make them. We will make these decisions with the understand that the right decision is usually the hardest one, and the hardest decisions are often the least popular at the time or most misunderstood. But our parents and supporters can rest assured that we will make our decisions with the best interest of our youth in mind.
 
The Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network will continue to be the premier provider of youth sports experiences in our area, and seek to make this experience affordable and available for all interested participants. This will be done through vigorous fund-raising activities, including the recruitment of sponsorships for various programs and other donors, and a solid financial approach to managing these resources.
 
It is our belief that the programs we implement will help enhance educational and recreational opportunities for youth throughout the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network service area. 
 
Finally, Much has been done to benefit the area youth; yet much remains to be done and the Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network believes that with the continued support of  parents, coaches and sponsors, we can continue to make the Wilk-Amite area the place “Where Children Come First”. 
 
 
 
David Walker, President
Wilk-Amite Youth Action Network