The Bison Football Team Mentor, Interact With Homeless Children In DC Area

Members of the Howard University football team transformed from players into playmates for nearly 50 children living in General Hospital homeless shelter. The players – Deonta Allen-Wright, Kyrian Baptiste, Julien David, Greg McGhee, DJ Tyson, and James Williams – volunteered with the Homeless Children's Playtime Project, an organization dedicated to giving children who live in homeless shelters around the District an opportunity to exercise their bodies and minds in a healthy, nurturing environment.

The American Psycological Association says homelessness can compromise a child's mental and physical health. According to the ‘Playtime' website, nearly 30 percent of D.C. children under 18 live at or below the poverty line. They seek to reduce the consequences of poverty by offering the children an escape from their circumstance and allow them to bask in the joys of being a kid.

"A lot of them have experienced trauma, so we are focused on keeping this as calm and therapeutic of an environment as possible," said Heather Provencher, one of the site coordinator's for HPCC. "We don't say the word homeless. It's about fun and playing."

For two hours Thursday evening, the Howard University football squad played games, read books and did art projects with the children, who ages ranged from 3 to 11.  Head football coach, Garry Harrell was informed about the volunteer opportunity from Valarie Fair, a senior biology major who has been volunteering at the shelter since September 2011.

"Ms. Valerie Fair contacted me and explained how there was a lack of black males volunteering their service to the D.C. General Hospital Shelter," Harrell said. "So I wanted to do something to help the situation."  At this particular site, nearly all of the children are black and a majority of them are young boys.

Coach Harrell's players were willing and ready to help. As the children roamed into the playroom one by one, the players greeted them with smiles and showed genuine interest in the kids – asking them their names, ages, and what they like to do.

"I enjoyed watching my Student-Athletes take control of the activities and having fun with the kids," Harrell said. "They did a terrific job bringing smiles and joy to the kids."

DJ Tyson, a freshman sports management major and wide receiver, said his love for kids made the community service experience especially enjoyable.

"I'm a big kid personally. I'm 19 with the heart of an 8 year old," said Tyson with a smile. "I've been looking for things like this to do as far as community service – things with kids. I just have the heart and passion for helping kids out."

Reminiscing about his own childhood role models helped Tyson understand the importance of his service.

"Growing up I would go to high school games and look up to the older kids, so I could only imagine college athletes coming to play, have snack time and read stories," Tyson said. "I think we had a great impact on the kids today. We played and read to them. I think that's going to inspire them for the rest of their lives."

It was evident by their continuous smiling and laughter that the children enjoyed having the football players there to join in on the fun.

"I liked when they played the spaceship game with us," said Ismail, an 11-year-old Playtime participant. "I don't like football, but I liked them. They were good."