Scoring More Than Just Goals Michelle Kingston CMUN 296 Student Just a few days before Christmas,

Ernie Alvarez, 55, Chicago, was waiting on the corner of 16th and Pulaski for a ride from his daughter when he noticed a group of mischievous young boys on the other side of the road. If you want to be a gangster, pop him already! said one of the boys. A 10-year-old approached Alvarez and revealed the handgun hidden underneath his shirt. With his heart pounding and his life on the line, Alvarez hid his fear and spoke to the boy in a calmed and relaxed tone. If you reach for the gun one more time, said Alvarez, Im a lot bigger than you and one of us is not going to get up off the ground. I am sure it isnt going to be you. Sirens moved closer and closer to their location and the group ran off. Alvarez waved down the cops and gave descriptions of the gang. Six years later, Alvarez hasnt heard anything about the situation again. Instead, he coaches elementary school soccer players and poetry students at Rosario Castellanos through America SCORES, an organization developing after-school programs across the nation for at-risk urban youth to keep them safe and to prevent them from joining gangs similar to the one that almost took his life. Alvarez hesitated taking the job because he wasnt sure if he wanted to work with kids. After realizing hed be able to help children who deal with rough street crime and tough lives, he accepted the position.

His students dont have it easy. They practice on hard asphalted parking lots. There is no green grass and there are no parks to use near their school. Their poetry writing contains stories about sadness, anger, and frustration. Violet, 12, Chicago, doesnt let the conditions bring her down. She likes America SCORES and hopes to continue writing and playing soccer even after the program ends. Alvarez has been an inspiration to her and some of her best memories have been spending time with him. It is the enthusiasm, persistence, and talent of Violet and the rest of the children that keep Alvarez with America SCORES. His face brightens and his eyes tear up when he talks about his students. He sees their potential and their determination. He also sees the streets pressuring them to get involved in dangerous activities. Three of his best girl players are beginning to socialize with gang members. Alvarez is concerned, but doesnt know how to deal with the situation. Although he has been coaching them for several years now and has gotten close to them, he isnt their father, and he isnt able to scold them. He is limited to what he can do. I just dont know what attracts girls to the bad boys, he says. Alvarez was not a bad boy himself while growing up. He was raised in Little Village, the same neighborhood as the children he works with, but didnt have the pressure to join a gang like kids do today. His parents worked several jobs to put him through private school. He excelled in the classroom and played several sports, but he admits to spending time with the gangs in his neighborhood every so often.

I had my issues with the gangs trying to recruit me, but I was lucky enough to just teeter totter and not get into it, Alvarez says. I hung out with them a lot, but I was not involved. It was rough growing up. It has only gotten worse. A member of America SCORES, Lissette, 13, Chicago, has a routine that she follows every morning. She showers, she makes her bed, she eats a bowl of cereal, and her mother drives her to school. On my way to school, says Lissette, I see kids and parents walking to school. I dont really feel that safe because there are a lot of bad activities going on everywhere you look. For example, gang bangers on every corner. According to Chicago Breaking News, street activity is increasing in Chicago. More people were killed in the city last year than Americans in Iraq. USA Today says there are over one million gang members nationwide. Its a cancer, says Alvarez. Finding an answer is the million dollar question. Its just spreading out. Alvarez has received a lot of credit on the streets due to his coaching position. When gang members attempt to mess with him, someone in the group recognizes Alvarez and tells the group to leave him alone. He might not realize it, but this is a sign that he has impacted the lives of many of his students. Violet says that Alvarez is caring, while Lissette describes him as the perfect person to tell all your worries to because he listens and helps out. Alvarez has dreams for the future of the organization, but doesnt believe hell see them come true for a long time. He hopes to see more urban schools involved and he wants to see the program being offered in high schools to keep the youth out of trouble.

Its just one day after another, he says.

Source List: Ernie Alvarez, 55, America SCORES coach, Chicago, Illinois, netoalvarez@yahoo.com Violet, 12, student, Chicago, IL, Vvvisme@aol.com Lissette Verdin, 13, student, Chicago, IL, lissetteverdin@yahoo.com Mack, Kristen, and Daarel Burnette II. "2 Chicago State Reps: Bring in the National Guard." Chicago Breaking News. Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2010. Web. 02 Nov. 2010.

<http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/state-reps-want-to-fight-violence-with-nationalguards-help.html>. Johnson, Kevin. "FBI: Burgeoning Gangs behind up to 80% of U.S. Crime USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World USATODAY.com. 29 Jan. 2009. Web. 02 Nov. 2010. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-01-29-ms13_N.htm>.