Youth Foundation
Basketball as a motivational tool
The Darting Basketball Academy Youth Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide assistance to youth in high-risk situations that:
- Improves academic achievement
- Teaches effective leadership skills
- Engages students in community service
The DBA Youth Foundation is committed to fighting racial inequality through education, communication and relationship among people of all races and ethnicities.
Donate
All donations are used to support Topeka-area kids and further the DBA Youth Foundation's mission to assist youth in high-risk situations and fight racial inequality.
Scholar Program
The DBAYF Scholar Program is built to strengthen core life skills: focus and self-control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges and self-directed, engaged learning. This program uses mentorship and team building to help youth become better leaders, students and citizens. The long-term goal of the Scholar Program is to provide building blocks for a successful future.
The program runs August through May. Students receive a scholarship to the fall and spring semesters of Darting Basketball Academy, a mentor, opportunities for community service, exposure to influential national, regional and local speakers, and more. Students are assigned to a scholarship team where they learn from and support each other, and teams compete each nine weeks to win prizes by collecting points for success in numerous life skill areas. Scholar Program meetings are on Sunday nights.
Teachers, administrators, counselors or community leaders can nominate a student. The nominated student also submits a letter explaining why they want to be part of the program and what they hope to achieve.
DBA Youth Foundation Board
A Board of Directors with diverse backgrounds, a broad range of expertise and a shared passion for helping the Topeka community governs the DBA Youth Foundation.
Kerry Darting
President, Topeka Business Owner(Darting Basketball Academy)
Marilyn Kido
Teacher(Topeka Collegiate)
Krista Darting
Director of Business Development and Marketing(DBAYF)
Volunteer
The DBA Youth Foundation is always looking for volunteers. Volunteers work with our DBA Scholar students as mentors, and play an integral part in helping youth become better leaders, students and citizens by providing building blocks for a successful future.
Volunteers are needed August through May, meeting their mentee for lunch one hour per week at school.
Thank you to our partners
Corporate partners are positively changing the lives of youth in our area. We can't do what we do without each and every one of them. Interested in partnering? Email krista@dartingbasketball.com and come be a part of the DBA Youth Foundation team!
