Calvin J. Wade – (COO)
Calvin Wade was born in Columbus, Ohio. As a youth Calvin was actively involved in everything, as he grew as a man he understood the value of the lessons his parents instilled in him, and how it’s important it is to share these lessons with youth today.
Calvin went on to attend Grand Rapids Community College and Ohio State University where he played football and majored in Education. His football career continued post- college where he played in the AFL2 for Memphis Xployers and also in the NIFL league for the Tri-City Diesel.
Calvin Wade has over 8 years experience in the child care industry. Calvin has worked in the child and youth care settings as a Latch-Key Coordinator, Youth Specialist, Shift Supervisor, and Lead Staff. He has worked with mentally ill youth, conduct disorder youth and juvenile sexual offenders. It was from this rewarding work that he realized his passion and purpose to serve the youth of America and create positive influences for the youth of today. Hence, with the assistance of Demetrius Ross, Footsteps Youth Program was born.
Footsteps
“Changing Lives One Step at a Time”
Time to Give Back…
MARION — Demetrius and Derrick Ross have fond memories of growing up here in Marion. Now, they live in different parts of Ohio, but still think of their home.
They are disturbed by what they hear about Marion’s slide toward crime. Along with their brother, Dominic Ross, they want to take a stand against crime in Marion and promote a positive message by sponsoring the “Stop the Violence” rally Saturday at Grant Middle School through their Footsteps Youth Program. There also will be a free football camp earlier in the day.
Along with the adult crime rate in Marion, there are four juveniles who may be tried as adults for serious crimes such as arson and aggravated robbery. Family Court Administrator Dave Reed said more teens in Marion are committing adult-level serious offenses. “I expect to see assault, minor theft, criminal damaging, etc., but not these serious adult offenses,” he said.
The trend has been eye-opening, along with the rising incidents where teens to take harder drugs, Reed said. “You would see marijuana or maybe some prescription pills. But kids are using heroin and cocaine now … that is a new trend we have seen.”
The Rosses want to curb that trend by showing youths that there is another way of life.
“I drive around now, and no one is playing at the parks,” Demetrius said. “I used to hop on my bike, and I would find someone playing on a basketball court, kids playing at the park. You don’t even see people sitting outside in their yards anymore.”
Derrick shares a similar sentiment of a time when children were able to move freely throughout the city without the threat of drugs or violence. “When I was younger and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to the park,’ my parents would say, ‘OK’ or ‘Be back before dark,’” Derrick said.
Now, he said, when his cousins want to go out to play, they get a list of places they should not go because of drugs or violence. “It is definitely time to take the streets back,” Derrick said. “We can no longer turn a blind eye to the crime we see. We owe it to our children.”
The rally begins at 6 p.m. with community leaders and positive speakers ready to pass on their stories to the next generation.
Demetrius believes that all children should have a safe, clean place to play, and he said the money will go to clean up parks around Marion. “The money we raise will go toward bringing Marion back to the place we remember,” he said. “The event is free. We will accept donations if people want to contribute to fund the cleanup. The money we generate there is what we are going to give back to Marion.”
Mayor Scott Schertzer met with Demetrius a few weeks ago to discuss his plan.
“This is just one more positive event in this community to help teach children how to do the right thing,” he said. “When something has a positive affect, I will generally support it.
Demetrius said Marionites are adopting a mindset of, “If it doesn’t affect me, then I’m not going to worry about it.”
“People say, ‘what is the catch?’” Demetrius said. “The catch is that I’m tired of sitting back and watching the community die. We aren’t taking enough initiative.”
“This city groomed us into the men that we are, and we want kids to have those same opportunities.”
For more information about Footsteps Youth Program LLC or the “Stop the Violence” rally, visit footsteps1.wordpress.com.
Stop the Violence
The inaugural Ross Football Camp will take place at Grant Middle School on Saturday. The camp is free, and boys and girls are welcome to join. The children will be split into different age groups with different times for each group: » Kindergarten-4th Grade: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. » 5th-9th Grade: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. » 10th-12th Grade + one year removed from high school: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children participating are asked to wear proper clothing for an outdoor workout. For more information about the Ross Football Camp, email rossfootballcamp@yahoo.com.
Written by
Tabitha Clark
The Marion Star
“STOP THE VIOLENCE”
STOP THE VIOLENCE
1ST ANNUAL ROSS FOOTBALL CAMP
FREE CAMP
Guest Speakers
D1 College Athletes, Coaches
Date: June 2nd 2012
Where: Grant Middle School
420 Presidential Dr.
Marion, Oh. 43302
Who: Boys & Girls
9am-11am- K-4th Grade * 12pm-2pm-5-9th Grade *3pm-5pm – 10-12th Grade +1year removed from High School
Registration: In Your Schools or contact us at rossfootballcamp@yahoo.com
Deadline: All forms will be collected on May 18th 2012
Late Registration: 30 Minutes prior to camp start times (Spots Are Not Guaranteed)
*Please wear the proper clothing and shoes for an outdoor workout*
Stop the Violence
6pm – Stop the Violence Rally
Stick around and enjoy more food, youth entertainment, games and a positive message. Join the Ross’s to help take a stand against the crime that has found a place in our community and has created an environment where youth today can’t play as we once did. “WITHOUT FEAR”
Please come out and enjoy:
Community Leaders Speaking!!!
Food provided at the concession stand as well as other vendors!!!
Live Entertainment!!!
Any Donations or Sponsorship offering please
Make Checks Payable to Footsteps Youth Program LLC.
“STOP THE VIOLENCE”
STOP THE VIOLENCE
1ST ANNUAL ROSS FOOTBALL CAMP
FREE CAMP
Guest Speakers
D1 College Athletes, Coaches
Date: June 2nd 2012
Where: Grant Middle School
420 Presidential Dr.
Marion, Oh. 43302
Who: Boys & Girls
9am-11am- K-4th Grade * 12pm-2pm-5-9th Grade *3pm-5pm – 10-12th Grade +1year removed from High School
Registration: In Your Schools or contact us at rossfootballcamp@yahoo.com
Deadline: All forms will be collected on May 18th 2012
Late Registration: 30 Minutes prior to camp start times (Spots Are Not Guaranteed)
*Please wear the proper clothing and shoes for an outdoor workout*
Stop the Violence
6pm – Stop the Violence Rally
Stick around and enjoy more food, youth entertainment, games and a positive message. Join the Ross’s to help take a stand against the crime that has found a place in our community and has created an environment where youth today can’t play as we once did. “WITHOUT FEAR”
Please come out and enjoy:
Community Leaders Speaking!!!
Food provided at the concession stand as well as other vendors!!!
Live Entertainment!!!
Any Donations or Sponsorship offering please
Make Checks Payable to Footsteps Youth Program LLC.
Sports, Adversity, and Life…
“For The Love of Basketball”
Columbus Hidden Gems
To the Lady Gems, I first would like to say to you I am proud of all of you. I understand what it is like to feel disappointment, both on and off the court. I also understand what its like to overcome disappointment that some call adversity. I understand things haven’t quite felt the same over the last few weeks without our family being intact. We had some teammates not with us dealing with personal issues and staff gone as well facing challenges in the matter of LIFE itself. Not having that home feeling when defending your home court, almost makes you feel like your still on the road. The things the game of basketball will and has taught a lot of us is when you face adversity on the court, in the 4th quarter or in life you draw even closer to your teammates, your family and those you care most about.
Well, we took ours on the chin right here in our own house and we are still standing. I saw it in the eyes of your leader and I heard it in his voice and couldn’t help but remember when we played. No matter what was going on around us when we were on the court everything became alright. All we knew was leave it on the court and run the life out of our opponent simply because we wanted it more. Plus, it made it easier to deal with what ever life threw at us after the game. Lady Gems ,remember this in your adversity the WBCBL has given you that chance to step on the court in such a great league full of players, coaches and fans with similar stories. The difference is you are on the court still writing yours while we live through you, still telling ours.
It is time ladies to take back whats ours, the one thing we can control, our effort and approach to the game we all love. Remember counting down 3…2…1….. she shoots she scores….and when you missed you would say there was a foul on the play so you could get another shot.(lol) The Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League is that shot. It’s time. We have come too far to lose sight now with all the sponsorship buzz we have generated and the exciting basketball that the league brings. There is no reason that we can’t achieve our goal in becoming one of the premiere teams in this league. We have the coach head man Lucius Jones who has a great vision for life, both on and off the court for his team individually and collectively. Let’s take our adversity we were hit with and use it to do what we love already with even more passion and determination, because what hasn’t killed us has certainly made us stronger.
This Saturday when we hit the court regardless of who can be with us lets leave everything behind and whoop some “behind” and not lose sight of what we have in front of us, “Opportunity”. Thank you WBCBL for also allowing me to be apart of your vision and finding out my purpose.
Writer
Demetrius E. Ross
Lady Gems Back To Basics
Saturday July 2, 2011 7:00pm Tip-off
DIRECTIONS:
| Lazelle Woods Rec Ctr |
| 8140 Sancus Blvd, Westerville , OH, US From Rt.71-S exit at Polaris Pkwy and turn right. Take Polaris down to Sancus Blvd and turn left. Rec ctr is on the left-hand side. From Rt.71-N exit at Polaris Pkwy and turn left. Take Polaris down to Sancus Blvd and turn left. Rec Ctr is on left-hand side. From Rt.23N turn right onto Polaris Pkwy and then turn right onto Sancus Blvd. Lazelle Woods Park & Rec Ctr is on left hand side. From Rt.23S turn left onto Polaris Pkwy then turn right onto Sancus Blvd. Lazelle Woods Park & Rec Ctr is on le ft hand side. |
“Back 2 The Basics”
College Sports Placement Service…
If you are a basketball or football high school Junior or graduating Senior, looking for help finding a College or Junior College to attend contact us. Footsteps College Sports Placement Service.
Demetrius Ross
614-668-9123
* Click on the College Placement Tab upper right corner of the home page*
FOOTSTEPS HIDDEN GEMS 2011 HIGH SCHOOL SHOWCASE…
Here is a quick reminder to continue to pre-register for the showcase so your information can be included in the college recruiting guide for attending colleges…
Event date July 17, 2011 @ 3:00pm
Location:
New Covenant Believers Church
3400 Kohr Blvd.
Columbus, OH. 43224
* Click on the EVENT TAB upper right hand corner of the home page for registration forms…*
July 17, 2011 Summer High School Showcase…
FOOTSTEPS HIDDEN GEMS:
2011 High School Basketball
Showcase
July 17, 2011
* For Registration Form Click on Events Tab (top right of page).
* Make sure you enter your email on the sidebar to receive registration updates.
FOOTSTEPS COLLEGE SPORTS PLACEMENT SERVICE…
IT IS TIME…
TO GIVE BACK 2 BACK…
COLLEGE PLACEMENT SERVICE
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI
CEO CO-FOUNDER FOOTSTEPS YOUTH PROGRAM LLC.
DEMETRIUS E. ROSS
Footsteps Sport Mentoring Program, has kicked off the College Placement Service. Demetrius Ross CEO and Boise State Graduate, Two Time Conference and Humanitarian Bowl Champion would like to create a opportunity for high school youth. “I want the youth to see that the grass is not always greener on the other side it can also be BLUE.
The College Placement Program will provide an oppertunity to youth that want to continue their education while participating in their sports, some may even recieve a shot at a scholarship. Our goal is to support youth that may not have the grades or have landed that big division 1 offer to still find a school. I want youth to know that there is a place for them. “When given the opportunity to succeed, you have to choose to fail.” The sports placement service is that opportunity for some. By working together we have no choice but to succeed and investing in a quality future allows us to help place your children in college.
Please register your email account with this Blog on the home page where it says “enter email here.”
Email me at: demetrius.footsteps@gmail.com
Click on College Placement Tab on the top right hand corner of the home page for overview and questionnaire.
Mail in your form to:
Footsteps Youth Program LLC
PO BOX 32038
Columbus, OH. 43232
LADY GEMS BACK IN THE BUS SUNDAY!!! 7:00pm
COLUMBUS HIDDEN GEMS
BACK TO BACK HOOPS
The Lady Gems are on the road tonight verses the Lady Monarchs. Flint suffered a close loss 86-81 to the Lady Gems and look to even the score in Michigan. The Lady Gems lead by Catherine “BIG DADDY” Cain averaging 21.7 points per game, and still perfect from beyond the arch. Lets not forget Tapre “DOWNTOWN” Young who is lights out from deep, shooting almost 60% contested from what seems like half court. Tina “THE ASSASSIN” Huff killing everything that enters the paint at an average of 6.67 blocks per game with 20 total on the season. Oh and when you show up at the game Sunday watch out for Jessica “PICK POCKET” Slack, my advice is when you see number 24 go the other way her hands are the fastest in the midwest, averaging 4.0 steals a game.
The Gems lead by Head Coach Phil Jackson…I mean Lucius Jones will be in action Sunday 06.12.11 at 7:00pm here in Columbus. HOLLYWOOD come and get it. Lights… Camera… Action… The Oakland-MaComb Run will be in town and the Gems look to Flip the Script on Sunday come out and make some noise and Rep. Yo City…
DIRECTIONS:
| Lazelle Woods Rec Ctr |
| 8140 Sancus Blvd, Westerville , OH, US From Rt.71-S exit at Polaris Pkwy and turn right. Take Polaris down to Sancus Blvd and turn left. Rec ctr is on the left-hand side. From Rt.71-N exit at Polaris Pkwy and turn left. Take Polaris down to Sancus Blvd and turn left. Rec Ctr is on left-hand side. From Rt.23N turn right onto Polaris Pkwy and then turn right onto Sancus Blvd. Lazelle Woods Park & Rec Ctr is on left hand side. From Rt.23S turn left onto Polaris Pkwy then turn right onto Sancus Blvd. Lazelle Woods Park & Rec Ctr is on le ft hand side. |
July 17, 2011 Sign up now… Summer High School Showcase…
FOOTSTEPS HIDDEN GEMS:
2011 High School Basketball
Showcase
July 17, 2011
* For Registration Form Click on Events Tab (top right of page).
* Make sure you enter your email on the sidebar to receive registration updates.
Footsteps Youth Program
Hidden Gems Basketball
Self Invested Fashions
The Tony and Priscilla Project
Summer Night Lights
Single Parents United
Footsteps Youth Program LLC 