Rack It Up Detroit asks council for funding, volunteers to expand youth squash and academic program

Rack It Up Detroit, a nonprofit that runs a long-term squash-based mentoring and academic support program, asked the Detroit City Council on Feb. 11 for funding, volunteers and partners to expand beyond its Northwest Detroit headquarters and serve more students.

The organization’s founder and CEO, Derek Aguirre, told the council the program uses squash as a “hook” but is focused on tutoring, mentoring, college and career exposure and community service. “Our mission is to support and empower Detroit youth so they can achieve their full potential through a long term demanding and inspiring mentoring program of squash academics and community service,” Aguirre said.

The request matters because Rack It Up Detroit serves students from fifth grade through high school, operates year-round and says it combines athletics with academic supports that staff and council members tied to measurable outcomes. Aguirre said the program has grown from about 40 students to more than 200 served annually and that students who stay in the program are more likely to enter and complete college; he did not provide exact percentages for graduation or college-entry rates during the presentation.

Aguir…