Anonymous Crime Tip Form

Blog

Home/Press Release/OCPO JOINS COMMUNITY TO M.O.V.E. OC YOUTH TO AIM HIGHER
rev_MOVE_OCPO-Project

OCPO JOINS COMMUNITY TO M.O.V.E. OC YOUTH TO AIM HIGHER

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced OCPO and community partners recently completed a six week Ocean County community basketball clinic. The youth oriented clinic named M.O.V.E. (motivate, overcome, visualize, empower) was presented at Abundant Grace Church in Toms River.  OCPO Juvenile Unit and OCPO PBA 171 sponsored the event and owe a special thanks to Pastor Anthony Storino for providing the program venue.

The clinic was attended by Ocean County students between the ages 10-14.  The youth program while recreational, also integrated Life skills lessons within the Basketball drills.  A significant emphasis was placed on Education, Family and Drug Awareness throughout the program.  M.O.V.E. began on January 19.  There was one snow day, but otherwise the program ran every Thursday evening from 6 – 8 pm concluding March 2, 2017.  Several children received awards for Academic Achievement, Sportsmanship, Most Improved  and M.O.V.E. ( overall performance).   Every participant got a shirt and a medal.  The six (6) week program cost each participant $10.

Sgt. Renee Nauyoks of the OCPO Juvenile Unit put together the Clinic, however, it wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of all the following coaches who volunteered their time to assist with the Program:  Coach Rob Taylor, Coach Anthony Carrington Jr., Coach Agnes Whitfield, Coaches Al and Eliana Nardini, Coach Elijah Taylor, Coach Nina Shirey, Coach Kyle Carrington, Coach Keith Calloway, and Coach Nicole Testa.

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The program went far beyond teaching the basics of the game of hoops.  Coaches inspired the best out of each of the children both on and off the Court.  The motivational leadership of the dedicated coaches wove together several critical life skill themes that are so important in a youth’s character development.”

Among the concepts promoted while learning basketball’s basics were:

  • Creating a strong sense of social responsibility.
  • Emphasized a strong sense of community for kids from all parts of the county by highlighting togetherness and acceptance of others.
  • Instilled a sense of commitment/motivation to strive to do your best every day and never give up.
  • Promoted setting goals and doing the right thing.
  • Educated participants why important to stay away from drugs, gangs and negative influences.
  • Being a leader and not following blindly.

Prosecutor Coronato & Coaches Rob Taylor, Al and Eliana Nardini, Nina Shirey, Keith Calloway, and Elijah Taylor address program participants.

Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook.  The social media links provided are for reference only.  The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications. For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org.