P.A.R.K. which stands for Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids based out of Arkansas began as a vision. Founder Keith Jackson had a vision in 1989 from God about helping teenagers overcome the obstacles of violence and a troubled life. Upon joining the NFL he developed his vision of creating ” a place that will give kids hope, strong values, and confidence’.
In 1993, the former Tight End for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers’ dream became a reality with the formation of the non-profit P.A.R.K., Inc. P.A.R.K. raised over $900,000 in pledges; $545,000 received in the form of foundation grants and individual and corporate donations.
P.A.R.K. Inc. purchased a 51, 000 – square foot building in southwest Little Rock to serve as the P.A.R.K. home. After the first phase of renovations, the building housed a tutoring center, a computer lab, a library, a women’s center, basketball & racquetball courts, a roller skating rink, a video arcade, and a weight room. In February, 1996, P.A.R.K. launched a pilot program for 25 at-risk 8th graders. In May, 2000, 8 of the original 25 students graduated from the program.
Since the beginning of the program, P.A.R.K. has made tremendous strides. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation of Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 awarded P.A.R.K. a grant in the amount of $5.2 million dollars for a complete renovation of the facility and new outside picnic area and park. The Donald W. Reynolds P.A.R.K. Facility includes the many updated areas, as well as new areas such as a dining area with a commercial grade kitchen, a 42 seat state of the art movie theater and a game room equipped with the latest video games, pool, foosball and air hockey tables.
In P.A.R.K.’s fourteen years of working with children, the success of the program is evident by the accomplishments of the students receiving positive reinforcement. The statistics show what hard work and dedication on the part of P.A.R.K. and the student can do.
To learn more about P.A.R.K.visit http://positivekids.org.
