Courtesy of UpNext: The official Blog of the Institute of Museum and Library Services

By Natasha Marstiller, Public Affairs Specialist, IMLS

Last month former NFL Linebacker and children’s book author Chris Draft visited IMLS at the National Book Festival Pavilion of the States.   Chris Draft has participated in Let’s Read/Let’s Move events and through his foundation supports a variety of family literacy and healthy lifestyle initiatives.

The following questions and answers highlight his perspective about the value of libraries and the benefits of reading and staying active.

Tell us about some of your partnership activities with Let’s Read. Let’s Move.
My foundation has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service’s United We Serve Let’s Read/Let’s Move initiative to encourage Americans to address summer reading loss and childhood obesity.  The past two years I have been invited to joinSecretary of Education Arne Duncan during the Department of Education’s Let’s Read/ Let’s Move summer series.

The agency is a partner for the campaign and their series brings together public figures to read children’s books and promote healthy lifestyles.  I had the opportunity to read my children’s book, Do You Want to Play Catch, to the youth, answer some very thought-provoking questions, and engage the youth in some vigorous exercise.  This summer we extended the reach of the campaign by having several events throughout the country encouraging youth to stay active in reading and exercise.  Although the program currently focuses on the summer months, the goal is to extend activities year-round.

We know that you are a big fan of library cards.  What advice do you have for new library card holders?
Use it!  If you don’t a have a library card you should get one today.  I remember how happy I was when I got my first library card at the Anaheim Central Library.  I will always remember the moment shared with my mom and older brother that sparked my love for reading. Libraries have something for everyone and if you can’t decide what to read, the librarian can help by providing suggestions about books, reading programs, music, games, and other resources and services for children, families and adults.  Libraries are MORE THAN JUST BOOKS!

How can busy families find time for reading and fitness?
As an athlete I know the importance of adopting a lifestyle of staying fit mentally and physically. During my 13 year NFL career, we routinely spent more time in the classroom than practicing on the football field. Yet, I also understand that finding time for reading 30 minutes and playing 60 minutes each day can sometimes be a challenge.  There are many activities that can fit into busy schedules.  How about a jog or brisk walk to the school bus or reading while waiting at appointments?  Just try.  Every bit counts.  Keep it fun and be sure to include extended family, friends, and neighbors.

About Let’s Read. Let’s Move.
The Let’s Read. Let’s Move. initiative seeks to combat childhood obesity and summer reading loss by engaging youth in summer reading and physical activity, as well as by providing access to healthy, affordable food. The initiative is an Administration-wide effort led by the Corporation for National and Community Service in collaboration with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! and four other federal agencies: U.S. Department of Education, Department of Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Agriculture.

About the Chris Draft Family Foundation
Chris Draft is the Founder, President and CEO of the Chris Draft Family Foundation. The Foundation focuses on seven primary initiatives with overarching themes that stress the importance of education, healthy lifestyles, character development, personal responsibility, self-discipline and physical fitness.  As a Former NFL player, he continues to be active with the NFL and in the community, serving as a NFL Ambassador.

View the article at UpNext here.

Related Resources:
Let’s Read. Let’s Move
Facebook: Chris Draft Family Foundation
Video:  Department of Education – Lets Read. Let’s Move. With Chris Draft
Photo: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. – Chris Draft at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA
Website: Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens

As children’s first and most important teachers, families have a major role to play in motivating children to read during the summer months. According to the nonprofit organization Reading is Fundamental, there are many strategies families might employ to encourage summertime reading.

Combine activities with books
Summer leaves lots of time for kids to enjoy fun activities, such as going to the beach or seeing a movie. Why not also encourage them to read a book about the activity? If you’re going to a baseball game, suggest that your child read a book about a favorite player beforehand. In the car or over a hot dog, you’ll have lots of time to talk about the book and the game.

Lead by example
Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the pediatrician’s office, or stuff a paperback into your beach bag. If kids see the adults around them reading, they will understand that books and other reading material can be a fun and important part of their summer days.

Talk it up
Talking with your kids about what you have read also lets them know that reading is an important part of your life. Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you. Soon they might start doing the same.

Help kids find time to read
Summer camp, baseball games, and videos are all fun things kids like to do during the summer. However, by the end of the day, children may be too tired to pick up a book. Remember to leave some time in their schedules for reading, such as before bedtime or over breakfast.

Relax the rules for summer
During the school year, children have busy schedules and often have required reading for classes. Summer is a time when children can read what, when, and how they please. Don’t set daily minute requirements or determine the number of pages they should read. Instead, make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own.

Have plenty of reading material around
Storybooks aren’t the only thing that kids can read for fun. Be sure to have newspapers, magazines, and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of a young reader.

Use books to break the boredom
Without the regular school regimen, adults and kids need more activities to fill the hours. Books that teach kids how to make or do something are a great way to get kids reading and keep them occupied.

Read aloud with kids
Take your children to see a local storyteller, or be one yourself. The summer months leave extra time for enthusiastic read-alouds with children, no matter their age. Don’t forget to improvise different voices or wear a silly hat to make the story that much more interesting!

Reprinted with permission from Reading is Fundamental (rif.org).

This story centers on one county in Georgia..but stories like these are taking place all over America.

In Cobb County Ga., as in the rest of the country, some tough decisions are being made in regards to the budget. Some of these decisions are having a large effect on public education, from the PBS network all the way down to county libraries, which was exactly what made the people of Cobb County stand up for education.

The Cobb County leaders had to make cuts in order to help the county reduce a $32 million deficit. One of the proposals was to trim the number of county libraries from 17 to four. When more than 200 people showed up at a local board meeting, the message was heard loud and clear…we want our libraries, and we’re prepared to fight for them.

Cuts like this are in process all across the country, and unless we stand up for education, our libraries and other means of public education could be in jeopardy. The people of Cobb County weren’t ready to let their libraries go, so they stood up. If people across the country stand up together, we can save our educational institutions.

The only way we can win the fight for education is if we stand and fight together. You can Tackle Literacy in your community and join the fight to increase education across the nation.

Tuesday night, U.S. President Barack Obama took the podium before Congress and asked both Democrats and Republicans to come together in an effort to “win the future” for America.

President Obama stressed that this is a time where America needs to come together. He likened this period in America’s history when Russia beat America to space with the satellite Sputnik. America persevered, put a man on the moon and hasn’t looked back since.

Other countries are again encroaching on America, and again it’s time for America to step up. That innovation starts, Obama proclaimed, in the classroom.

“If we want to win the future – if we want innovation to produce jobs in America and not overseas – then we also have to win the race to educate our kids,” Obama said.

Education has been a cornerstone of the Chris Draft Family Foundation since its inception. Chris Draft and the foundation staff have been in countless schools across the country promoting education through literacy and character, but also through building strong families, which helps improve communities.

“[Education] begins not in our classrooms, but in our homes and communities,” Obama said during his State of the Union address. “It’s family that first instills the love of learning in a child.  Only parents can make sure the TV is turned off and homework gets done.  We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair. We need to teach them that success is not a function of fame or PR, but of hard work and discipline.”

There may not be a better quote that sums up the purpose of the Chris Draft Family Foundation. The foundation was built on education, not only for children, but for parents as well. The foundation has operated under the principle that a strong family builds a strong education base.

That’s the reason the foundation’s signature event, Draft Family Fitness Day (or Draft Day for short), was built not only around children, but their parents as well. Each Draft Day event held classroom and fitness sessions for the children and their parents. The classes were meant to teach the children how to become leaders, and the parents how to help shape those leaders through a strong education.

Education isn’t just a child going to school, it’s a family affair. A strong example and emphasis on education in the home can lead to great achievements in a child’s future.

Unfortunately, not every child has this example. There are children out there that struggle both in and out of the classroom. It’s up to us as Americans to reverse this trend. It’s up to us to help children and families in our communities lead better lives through education.

President Obama set a lofty goal: By the end of this decade, America will again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

The Chris Draft Family Foundation will continue to lead the fight to win the future of education across the country. But if we’re going to achieve this educational milestone, we need everyone working together to make a difference.

Maybe you already have. If so, let us know. We’d love to share your story to let other people know how one person can make a difference in the fight for education.

Let’s win the future together.

-Brett Grassmuck
Director of Communications

On June 4, 2010, the athletic world lost one of the most inspirational and influential leaders that has ever picked up a clipboard, John Wooden.

Wooden, who was the first and only athlete to be honored as both a player and a coach in the Basketball Hall of Fame, won 10 National Championships with the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He His coaching history includes 664 wins, the fourth all-time highest winning percentage in NCAA history. Originally from Indiana, he taught and coached for years, but it was more than what he did on the court that made Wooden a legend.

In addition to being a phenomenal coach with a unique understanding of the game and ability to connect to his players, Wooden was always admired and revered for his outstanding character. He lived a rich life full of family, friends and a giving spirit. Wooden credits lessons he learned from his father, helping him create the Seven Point Creed, which provides encouragement throughout life’s path:

•Be true to yourself
•Make each day your masterpiece
•Help others
•Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
•Make friendship a fine art
•Build a shelter against a rainy day
•Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day

Wooden authored several books about basketball and life, and many of his quotes and mantras grace walls in locker rooms across the country. Some of his more notable quotes include, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” “Flexibility is the key to stability” and “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Wooden created the wildly popular “Pyramid of Success” in 1948, a guide, lecture series and book consisting of philosophical building blocks for winning at basketball and life. The 15 building blocks include, “Industriousness,”  “Enthusiasm,” “Skill” and “Poise” to name a few.  Many inspirational speakers and motivational coaches rely on the teachings of Wooden when developing their messages. “If it helped somebody, I hope I’ll be looking down and thinking it’s good,” Wooden said.

By living a life that focused on building excellent character in self and others, Wooden, or “Coach” as he was so affectionately called, left a legacy of leadership. His coaching style became a blueprint of excellence that is emulated to this day. Teachers utilize his books and lessons to reach students on a deeper level that positively shifts their moral compass.

The Chris Draft Family Foundation’s Character Team builds on many of the principals Wooden taught and incorporated into his life. While he will be missed, Wooden’s life will be studied and praised for years to come.

For more information about the coach who inspired several generations of athletes, please visit: www.Coachwooden.com.

Answering President Obama’s national call to lower high school drop out rates, What It Takes hosted a panel discussion and symposium on Capitol Hill – titled “Re-Engaging Minority Male Students in Their Academic Careers” – on June 15, 2010.  What It Takes is a national outreach initiative that connects highly successful minority men with high-potential, but low-performing minority young males. Chris Draft was an invited guest and speaker, and impressed upon the young men the importance of character and being the best men they can be.

Hosted by U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Bob Brady and moderated by CBS NFL analyst James “JB” Brown, the event drew more than 200 students from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.  Successful, professional men in areas of entrepreneurship, science, professional athletics, business, armed forces, medicine and education were represented on the panel and as featured guests.

“Our mission is clear (at WIT): inspire young men in our communities to focus on education so they can create meaningful goals for success,” said What It Takes Founder Anthony Martin.

Notable panelists included Larry Miller, Donavon McNabb, Hill Harper, Terrence J, Howard White, Adam Robinson, Dr. Anthony Junior, Fletcher Smith, Ted Reid, and several others. The men shared their stories of sacrifices made to achieve academic and professional success. After the discussion, the young men remained for a question and answer session and mingled with the panel and guests for detailed accounts about how to achieve their professional goals.

The example of the foundation’s Character Team was an inspiration to the young men, and events such as this encourage them to remain in school and motivated to make positive differences in their communities. The foundation will continue to promote positive options for youth, structured around character building such as this.

Do you have a similar story of how you were motivated by character? Share it with us and join the foundation’s Character Team.

For More information about What It Takes and partner organization Urban Youth Racing School (UYRC) please visit: www.urbanyouthracingschool.com.

After four years of dedication and hard work, every student from the first-ever senior class from Urban Prep Charter School in Ellenwood, Ill., is headed to college. Urban Prep is an all-Black; all-male charter school in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago. More than 82 percent of the students come from low-income families and only four percent of the Senior class could read at grade-level as Freshman. At last count, the 107 Seniors gained acceptance to a total of 72 different colleges, including Northwestern University, Morehouse College, Howard University and Rutgers University to  name a few.

“Poverty, gangs, drugs, crime, low graduation rates, teen pregnancy — you name it, Englewood has it,” said Kenneth Hutchinson, the school’s director of college counseling, who was born and raised in Englewood.

Once the assistant director of Undergraduate Admissions at Northwestern University, Hutchinson became inspired when the young men came to Northwestern as freshmen, many their first time ever on a college-campus. He started working for Urban Prep two months later.

Students are pushed to commit to a college education upon entry into Urban Prep and assigned college counselors on their first day. They also must adhere to a rigorous school day-and college prep courses, as well as double English courses. The young men were rewarded with a free prom and swapped their normal red ties for red and gold-striped ties-to signify college acceptance during a surprise assembly.  Urban Prep also plans to hold a “College Signing Day,” where the young men commit to attend and graduate as well as ensure they all complete their Free Application for Federal Aid forms. Continued follow-up from the academy in support of the young men throughout college will prove essential to their success.

Congratulations to the hard-working young men of Urban Prep Academy! The Chris Draft Family Foundation (CDFF) highlights the outstanding achievement of these young men and hope others can be inspired from their story of perseverance and commitment to higher education. Are there excellent college-preparation programs in your area? Do you know of any special students that overcame extraordinary odds to graduate? Share your stories with the Foundation’s Character Team imitative –together we can encourage and inspire!

On June 23, PARADE Magazine partnered with National youth-service organization the LEAGE to honor the brightest and best high school students committed to changing the community. Selected youth leaders were honored at a special Breakfast Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. sponsored by PARADE magazine and the ING Foundation.

Chris Draft, Founder of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, was invited to present at the awards ceremony based on his outstanding work through the foundation’s Community Improvement initiative, an alliance of civic minded people who are dedicated to providing America’s neighborhoods and communities with safe environments in which to play, learn and grow while adopting healthy lifestyles. Chris Draft spoke with the inspiring young achievers and highlighted their hard work, shining example and influence.

“It was a great opportunity to congratulate the Asthma award winners,” Draft said. “They executed amazing programs in their region sending a strong message that with awareness, and education, asthma cases can be drastically reduced.”

*Youth Award Recipients
Jordyn Schara- 15, Katherine Stone-16, David Sanchez-18, Jessica Markowitz-15, Kaylee Shinell-18, Justin Churchman-17, Kristen Powers-16, Blake O’Connor-18, John Atkins-17, Thanh Pham-17, Akshay Damany-17, Zachary Swiatko-18, Brianna Jacobs-17, Jacob Esposito-17, and Mariah Naegeli-17

PARADE Magazine asked readers to nominate high school students in five categories: economics, environment, education, community and health.

Congratulations to these young achievers and leaders. We wish them continued success and best of luck to them in the future! Please visit our Character Team Initiative page to post your story and make your community a better place.!

On April 14, the Foundation hosted a Fitness Blitz with NFL Yet at the Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta. Fitness Blitz activities are aimed to unite, empower and educate the youth and their parents about the importance of physical fitness and family involvement. Invited families from the Atlanta Youth Education Town the Foundation welcomed over 100 excited children between the ages of 7-13 participated in fitness activities in the main gymnasium of the Fulton County Boys and Girls Club.

Fitness exercise stations, including interactive large-screen video were just a few activities in-place that focused on physical health. The students were able to go from station to station, participating in various fun exercises.

Parents were able to participate alongside the children in the fun exercises and visit with Foundation ambassadors. Educational materials on physical and mental health were also available.

The Boys and Girls Club and the NFL YET program have worked together since 2007 to bring restorative programs to eight major cities in the U.S.  Focusing on physical fitness, the NFL YET program uses athletics to foster community development. The Foundation builds on their mission by introducing programs and activities that strengthen character, self-discipline, and moral values in the families of the community.