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Community Teamwork, Inc.
167 Dutton St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-0551

M A R A
Mentoring At-Risk Athletes

MARA is a goal focused organization with one purpose: To provide support and services to young at-risk athletes through one-on-one mentoring as they work towards their goal of attending college. Under the leadership of Director Chris Driscoll, MARA's Mission is to obtain access to higher education, mainly through athletic scholarships, for at-risk youth in the Greater Boston area.

There is a definitive link between education, self-sufficiency and poverty. As the demand for well-rounded athletes at major colleges and universities increases each year, the chances for low-income, at-risk youth gaining admittance to a four-year university becomes more and more challenging. Schools of higher learning are constantly on the lookout for athletes who meet their rigorous academic and athletic standards. CTI's partnership with MARA positions us to meet this community need by identifying the at-risk athlete and acting as a liaison between the athlete and the school.

Guidance: With experienced staff, MARA provides an environment of trust and respect. Providing leadership, a positive influence and assistance in a variety of ways, MARA helps youth to become responsible, well-rounded citizens. We identify likely participants as someone who, during the crucial years of junior high and high school, excels in a particular sport; however, due to his/her surroundings and circumstances is at-risk of not reaching their full potential as a student, an athlete, and most importantly as a person.

Support: In addition to moral and emotional support, MARA offers help with work opportunities, transportation, family relationships and sometimes even housing and food. The goal is to help young people build the life-skills necessary to become productive members of the community.

Advocacy: In most cases, the athletes who we assist have no idea where to begin. MARA has established relationships with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a growing number of Colleges and Universities, Prep Schools, and local organizations enabling us to connect to the proper services.

MARA has turned the lives around for many young athletes like Will Blalock, a young man from Mission Hill in Roxbury, MA who was accepted into Notre Dame Prep School, earned the highest grade point average in his class, and ultimately received a scholarship to play basketball at Iowa State University.

MARA works closely with the Boston Amateur Basketball Club, a non-profit organization that strives to afford young athletes more opportunities to learn and excel. For more information about MARA, contact Chris Driscoll at (978) 459-0551 or by email at cdriscoll@comteam.org.