For over 15 years, The NFL has aided Super Bowl host cities by creating Youth Education Towns--or YETs--facilities that encourage and offer positive programs for inner-city youth in high-risk areas.

This year, with an added $150,000 donation from Tampa’s Glazer Family Foundation--owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and prominent Florida philanthropists--the YET will be re-constructed and run out of Tampa Bay. A new football field at Mort Park will be maintained with the Glazer’s donation, while the YET is run nearby in Mort Park, and also in Jackson Heights.

Previous Youth Education Towns have been built in Los Angeles, Phoenix, New Orleans, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Detroit, Atlanta, San Diego, Tampa, Houston, and Honolulu. These centers focus on helping youth to cultivate a variety of skills and resources, including computer and career training, tutoring, mentoring, access to safe recreational activities, and life-skills development. Recording and digital arts education will also be provided through a partnership with the Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Steve Young’s Forever Young Foundation--which assists with technical education at each NFL-built YET will be partnering with the Patel Conservatory for the technical branch of the project. Bryan Glazer, Executive VP of the Buccaneers said, “Enhancing the local e

ducational and recreational facilities is essential to the growth of Bay area youth. This field is another way to help promote the importance of physical fitness and healthy living and will serve as a valuable resource to the local community.” Added to the Glazer Foundation’s $150,000 contribution is a 1 million dollar donation from the NFL, and a total of 1 million dollars being sent from Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa.

Donations will help to maintain upkeep of the field, help to fund the learning centers of the YET, encourage the growth of several health and fitness programs, and allow for expansion of YET buildings these programs are housed within. Tampa Mayor Pam Lorio is thrilled with the YET previous track record in Florida, and said, “The Center continues to positively impact our community, and we look forward to being able to serve Tampa's next generation of young citizens.” (Auriane de Rudder) To learn more about NFL Youth Education Towns, or to get involved please visit: www.jointheteam.com

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