150 Valley kids learning benefits of positive choices through day of fun

YOUNGSTOWN

Kim Jackson lovingly remembers the day her late husband, Kevin Jackson, had his class of at-risk youngsters wear ties he had brought.

The gesture, however, was a lot more than a mere formality. It was symbolic of the link he saw between dressing for success, respecting others and making positive choices.

“There are certain times they have to know how to conduct themselves, and he conducted the classes like a business,” Kim said, adding that shortly afterward, the school principal walked in the room and all of the elementary-age children stood up as a sign of respect.

“He wanted to see the young men become productive citizens.”

Trying to reach young people before they got into trouble was part of the legacy of Kevin Jackson, director of sports programs for the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, who died Dec. 15, 2012. He was 47.

He also was honored during Saturday’s first Kevin Jackson Memorial Basketball Tournament at East High School, 474 Bennington Ave., on the East Side.

An estimated 150 boys and girls in grades four to six from several city elementary and middle schools participated in the gathering, which was a collaboration between the Juvenile Justice Center, the Youngstown City School District and the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence organization.

Fourteen teams enjoyed playing seven 16-minute games, but the event’s main aim was to provide an additional fun activity for the youngsters while showcasing ways to help them make positive choices and stay out of trouble, organizers noted.

Read more about the event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.