Albany State National Youth Sports Program in need of funding

ALBANY — Jesse Massey got his first taste of college life before he even graduated from high school. Thanks to the Albany State National Youth Sports Program, Massey and countless others in Southwest Georgia were able to gain a myriad of experiences including exposure to institutions of higher education.

In its more than 40 years, program has seen more than 25,000 kids from Dougherty and the surrounding counties come through it, but organizers warn that it may come to an end. Massey, who was in the program’s inaugural class and is now its liaison officer, said a lack of funding may cause the program to shut down.

From 1971 to 2005, the NYSP received a significant amount of federal as well as NCAA funding. Since losing those funds, Massey said he has tried to gain support from local government officials, but to no avail. Massey is now calling on the community to come together to save a program that many of them have gone through to prevent it from permanently closing.

“People don’t understand that there’s a lot of history with the behind the National Youth Sports Program,” he said. “It’s no longer at any other HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). Nobody has it but us. We’re the last of the last.”

The program, has received contributions from several members of the community, including $500 from Massey. But to pay for field trips, hire counselors and educators, and provide t-shirts while remaining free of charge to the participants, it will take at least $45,000-$50,000. While the number may seem daunting, Massey said if even half of the 25,000 former members donated $5 each, the goal would be reached.

Massey said he doesn’t want people to see the request for support as a handout, but as an investment in the future. He’s especially urging those that have been a part of the program to “come back and give back. Help us save the National Youth Sports Program.”

Massey has started a online funding page that can be found at gofundme.com/v2ppwszg. With the donations, NYSP can continue to create a safe a nurturing environment for the children of Southwest Georgia.

“What we’ve been doing here for 40 years is mentoring minds,” he said, “making sure children have a place to when summer comes, and academics. We stress academics, math language arts, science. We do all those things, including the most important thing that’s in our camp — swimming.”

Massey said the worst-case scenario is to take what funding they have and scale back the program unless the number of students greatly exceeds what is affordable. In that case, NYSP would have to shut down. He hopes to have all donations in by Memorial Day so he can assess what’s possible.

For those interested in participating, on May 7 kids can receive free physicals at the East Albany Medical Center. The camp is scheduled to run from June 1 to July 1.