The OCDA and OC GRIP to host 10th annual soccer camp for elementary students

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2013

OCDA AND OC GRIP KICK OFF SPRING WITH 10TH ANNUAL SOCCER CAMP TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY AND POSITIVE CHOICES FOR STUDENTS

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) will be hosting the 10th Annual Spring Youth Soccer Camp (SYSC) next week for elementary school students. OCDA’s SYSC is an ongoing gang prevention effort to build self-esteem and encourage healthy and positive choices for young students. The 3-day spring break soccer clinic begins on Monday, April 1, 2013, at 8:00 a.m. and concludes on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. The program will be held at Centennial Regional Park located at 3000 West Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, and Carl E. Gilbert Elementary School located at 7255 8th Street, Buena Park, and will include students from Davis Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, John Adams Elementary, Diamond Elementary, Carl E. Gilbert Elementary, and James A. Whitaker Elementary. Media are invited to attend all portions of the camp.

During the camp, approximately 40 students between 9 and 12 years old will spend the mornings taking part in a fitness course and learn soccer techniques from volunteer coaches to improve their skills, health, and self-esteem. Students will then participate in afternoon educational workshops where they will have an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and positive decision-making from police officers, a deputy district attorney and district attorney investigator, educators, professional soccer players, and military personnel.

Chief Corey Sianez from the Buena Park Police Department (BPPD), Chief Carlos Rojas from the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), and Chief David Valentin from the Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department (SAUSDPD) will distribute Certificates of Achievement to the participating children on the last day of the spring camp.

OCDA through OC GRIP organized this event in collaboration with BPPD, SAPD, SAUSDPD, Orange County Probation Department, The Way Fellowship, and Community Service Programs. OC GRIP aims to decrease gang activity through increased participation in schools and positive extracurricular programs.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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