Philadelphia

Over half of UYRS participating students in Philadelphia reside in the west and north sections – the two most minority and poverty populated areas of the city. On average, at least 50 percent of the population in these two areas of Philadelphia is African-American or black and Hispanic combined. Not more than 65 percent of these two geographic population groups achieved a high school diploma and not more than 18 percent achieved a bachelor’s degree. Compare these statistics to the United States average where 80.4 percent of all Americans receive a high school diploma or equivalent and 24.4 percent receive a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Given the lack of educational attainment cited above, it is not surprising that populations in these two sections of the city experience higher rates of poverty as compared to the national average. Just over nine percent of U.S. families live below the poverty level. The percentage of individuals living in poverty is 12.4 percent. Significantly more families and individuals living in the west and north sections of Philadelphia experience higher rates of poverty as compared to families and individuals across the United States. On average 22 and 27 percent of families and individuals respectively live below the poverty level in west and north Philadelphia.

Approximately 60 percent of UYRS students reside in the west and north sections of Philadelphia. As indicated above, these two areas of the city include high numbers of minority and low income residents. Forty percent of UYRS students reside outside of the west and north sections of Philadelphia where there are fewer percentages of minority (black and Hispanic) populations, and higher numbers of individuals who have received high school and college degrees. Nonetheless, residents outside of the two heavily minority and low-income populated areas of Philadelphia still include families and individuals living below poverty at a rate of 6-14 percent higher than the national average.

Philadelphia is a city steeped in history, culture and opportunity. However, given the statistics above, it appears that the many of the city’s residents are not equipped to pursue nor are able to gain access to employment networks offering these opportunities. Approximately 75 percent of UYRS youngsters attend neighborhood schools in The School District of Philadelphia. These young people experience student populations where at least 50 percent are black and/or Hispanic, and are identified as “low-income” by the local education agency.

Prevalence of Nonschool Programming in Philadelphia
Philadelphia boasts numerous after-school programs. The majority of the out-of-school programs across Philadelphia are implemented and supported by the Children and Youth Division of the Department of Human Services or The School District of Philadelphia
There are only a handful of after-school programs – provided free or nearly free of charge to youngsters – that provide education and training and job placement in a profession or the sports industry. Of course, no other racing school for urban youngsters currently exists in the United States.
Philadelphia Safe and Sound Research
Since 1999, juvenile arrests (for children ages 10 to 12) have risen to more than 1,000 annually in Philadelphia. This accounts for nine percent of all juvenile arrests in the city a figure just slightly higher than national reports of juvenile arrests (at eight percent).

Early delinquent and offending behavior is perhaps the best predictor of later serious, violent and chronic delinquent and offending behavior (Tremblay & LeMarquand, 2001). In fact, six out of 10 juvenile offenders 12 years of age and younger are likely to be future serious, violent and chronic offenders (Loeber& Farrington, 2001).

Washington, DC

Washington, DC is subdivided into community or geographic wards. Each ward is represented by a member of the city council. Residential populations vary widely from ward to ward. Continuing its commitment to reach students whose racial and/or economic backgrounds are underrepresented in the motor sports industry, UYRS will target the wards containing significant numbers of these populations. Accordingly, UYRS DC will recruit students from sections of ward 1, and most of wards 6, 7 and 8 because the poverty, income and educational attainment of these populations are comparable to those of Philadelphia’s mentioned above. Specifically, UYRS DC students will be recruited from neighborhoods located in the following zip codes: 20009, 20002, 20003, 20010, 20017, 20018, 20019, 20020, and 20032.

What the Research Says
During the school-age years, new cognitive skills combine with the school’s competitive environment to heighten children’s awareness of how well they perform and how they compare with others. Some expect to succeed, while others become accustomed to failing and may eventually turn their backs on the school culture. Nonschool programs can help by providing a separate environment in which children can explore new skill areas, discover talents within themselves, and experience the thrill of doing something just because they love doing it.

While there is no research on the outcomes and impact of youngsters participating in an after-school program providing education and training in the motor sports industry, we do know that students who participate in nonschool activities demonstrate higher academic proficiencies and go on to achieve more positive adult outcomes than their counterparts who do not. Specifically, these benefits may include increased learning, improvements in physical and mental health, increased exposure to career opportunities and enhanced social, psychological and emotional development. Not surprising is the fact that “children from high-risk backgrounds have both the most to gain from after-school programs in terms of educational opportunity and the least access to after-school programs.”

How UYRS Addresses the Need

UYRS seeks to address both aspects of need: increased participation of high-risk youth in structured nonschool activities and access to a quality after-school program. Many of our urban youngsters have limited life experiences and exposures, and are unaware of the multitude of educational, professional and life opportunities that exist to their advantage. Limited life experiences during childhood lead to restricted dreams and aspirations for adulthood. In turn, these youngsters grow and develop in a narrow world where they go on to lead parallel lives to their counterparts who reside in higher income neighborhoods. To the contrary, the UYRS expands the life options of participating youngsters! The school provides students with increased access to adults in a variety of professions through its instructional and mentoring programs. Students receive guidance in communication and networking skills so that they will be able to “handle themselves” during meet and greet opportunities. UYRS students are also involved in internships in the motor sports industry giving them first-hand knowledge about the different jobs available and the inner-workings of “the business.”