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Volunteer program Sports World asks county for funding after reporting hundreds of school interventions
Summary
Tim Jarvis, representing Sports World, asked commissioners for funding to support in-school visits by former professional athletes, stating the program identified roughly 350 children in need of interventions last year and costs about $10,000 annually.
During public comment, Tim Jarvis, representing the Indianapolis-based nonprofit Sports World, asked Vigo County commissioners for financial support for the group’s school-based athlete-visitor program.
Jarvis said Sports World visits every junior high and high school in the community and collects feedback cards from students. He told commissioners the program reached about 1,970 children last year and that staff identified roughly 350 students requiring follow-up or intervention. Jarvis recounted two instances in which students were assessed as an imminent risk of suicide and, after staff notified school authorities, were removed from danger.
Jarvis said the program runs at a cost of roughly $10,000 for transportation, food and several days of athlete visits. He said Sports World has raised about $5,000 so far and was "$2,000 short" last year. He asked the commission to consider county funding or to help spread the word to local supporters and volunteers; he also invited commissioners and community members to attend events and help as volunteers.
Jarvis identified local partner groups including FCA and Youth for Christ. He said Sports World will run about 14 events starting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, and plans outreach to Northview Schools for the first time.
Why it matters: Jarvis described a program that screens students for risk factors and connects school officials for follow-up; commissioners and the public may weigh whether to allocate county funds or support through referrals and volunteer recruitment.
What’s next: Jarvis left event schedules and materials with the commissioners; no county funding decision was made at the meeting.
