The OCDA is hosting a free soccer camp this week to keep kids out of gangs

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: April 6, 2015

TWELFTH ANNUAL SPRING YOUTH SOCCER CAMP CONTINUES TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND ENCOURAGE POSITIVE CHOICES IN YOUNG STUDENTS

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is hosting the 12th annual Spring Youth Soccer Camp (SYSC) this week for selected elementary school students from Russell Elementary School in Santa Ana. SYSC is an ongoing community gang prevention effort organized through the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) that encourages youth to avoid the eminent dangers of gang life and get involved in healthy team-building extra-curricular programs. The 3-day spring break soccer clinic kicked off this morning at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

The program is being held at Russell Elementary School at 600 South Jackson Street, Santa Ana. Members of the media are invited to attend all portions of the event.

During the camp, approximately 44 students between the ages of 9 and 11 will spend the mornings taking part in a fitness agility course and learning soccer techniques from volunteer coaches to improve their athletic 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 a deputy district attorney, police officers, educators, and Chapman University students. The educational workshops will focus on building character and defining career goals.

OCDA Bureau of Investigation Chief Craig Hunter will award participating students with a Certificate of Achievement that recognizes their physical accomplishment and encourages them to refrain from gang activity in the future by succeeding in school and making positive lifestyle choices.

This event was sponsored by the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping instill a sense of hope, opportunity, and accomplishment in our community’s youth.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

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