Small sneakers are squeaking at the Palestra thanks to Young Quakers Community Athletics (YQCA), a collaboration between the Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships and Penn Athletics.
Life Skills with Layups
The Penn men’s basketball team is pairing up with local kids for after-school mentorship, fitness, and fun
Published: February 22, 2022
Established in 2012, YQCA connects Penn’s varsity teams with elementary school students in West Philadelphia public schools for after-school mentoring. Recently, YQCA added basketball to their after-school offerings.
For us, this is about giving these kids something positive. That’s always worth making time for.”Jelani Williams, Men’s Basketball Senior Co-Captain
Young Quakers Basketball officially tipped-off in the fall of 2021, pairing the Penn men’s basketball team (Big Quakers) with fourth and fifth grade students (Young Quakers) at Andrew Hamilton and Henry C. Lea University-Assisted Community Schools in West Philly. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program began virtually, but 2022 marked a new chapter for the growing partnership. Forty students are currently attending weekly clinics that cover much more than basketball during a six-week spring session.
“Effective partnerships between Penn and our local community are extraordinarily important,” says Ira Harkavy, Associate Vice President and Founding Director at the Netter Center. “Young Quakers is an inspiring example of how, by working together, university students and public-school students in West Philadelphia can both benefit. YQ is a national model for educating community-engaged student athletes.”
Big Quaker student-athletes team up with Young Quaker elementary school students to learn skills on and off the court.
Big Quaker student-athletes team up with Young Quaker elementary school students to learn skills on and off the court.
Big Quaker student-athletes team up with Young Quaker elementary school students to learn skills on and off the court.
From time management and leadership to fitness and free-throws, Big Quakers serve as real-life role models to their Young Quakers. Students visit Penn’s campus for clinics, receive basketball and life guidance from their mentors, and are taught teamwork. “This new YQ partnership is powered by our men’s basketball student-athletes, Coach Donahue, and the Basketball Sports Board,” says Cory Bowman, Associate Director at the Netter Center. “I give the student-athletes a lot of credit for getting it off the ground. Led by Jelani, the guys are giving their time and energy to make a difference in the lives of local kids, while learning coaching and mentorship skills.”
Beyond basketball, YQCA also offers track and field and lacrosse programs to students in grades four through eight. Philanthropy has powered YQCA since its inception, providing equipment, transportation, and staffing—just a few of the ingredients that help the program have a real impact.
“Our Division I student-athletes are deeply committed to this program,” says Paige Lombard, C’16, MPH’19, the YQCA Associate Director and Project Director for University-Assisted Community School (UACS) Public Health Partnerships. “They are actively engaged and enjoying their interactions with the kids.” Penn alumni who have participated in YQCA also stay connected through the Big Quaker Alumni Network, which sends out newsletters and invitations to special events.
“It was really fun to step out of the Penn bubble and be a Big Quaker and see the positive influence on the kids we worked with,” says Rachel Stremme, C’19, GEd’20, and a former Penn track and field standout. “The experience had a huge impact on my career as a teacher and how I educate my own students in Philadelphia.”
Opportunities for Young Quakers are also available once they “graduate” from the program and start high school. They are encouraged to explore internships and service-learning opportunities at the Netter Center.
To learn how to support Young Quakers Community Athletics, contact Tim McLaughlin, Penn Athletics Senior Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Development & Alumni Relations, at 215-573-5350 or tmclau@upenn.edu.
