Priorities

Making A Difference

in the Life of a Child

Children are the future. Teaching them important values and helping them make the right decisions is a priority. There is nothing more vital than guiding children down the right path on their journey through life.

We must never forget: A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove,but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

Rising Stars: THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT OUR FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT

To foster, promote, and encourage sports, sportsmanship, responsibility, physical contests, and athletics, particularly at the juvenile level of age, as a means of building character, physical health, well-being, and self-discipline among the younger generation in order to fit them more adequately for their future role in-society

To organize, operate, and maintain a program of sports and recreational activity, particularly for boys and girls of the juvenile level of age; to develop , provide, sponsor, and regulate clinics and/or camps for boys and girls for instruction, recreation, athletics, tournaments, sport, civic, cultural and other wholesome activities in their free hours from school, assuring that adequate supervision and guidance may be proffered to them to aid and maintain their physical health and mental condition to contribute to the well-being of the community from which the boys and girls come.

To organize local, statewide, and national competitions, promulgate rules, organize officials, present seminars, distribute a newsletter, and otherwise encourage growth of the sport of basketball.

PHILOSOPHY

Rising Stars programs feature basketball as a conduit to assist young people in developing their dreams into reality. Our motto is "if you dream it, you can become it." So much money is spent today to fix problems after they've already occurred. Social ills, perhaps typified by the school shootings at Littleton in Colorado, and the graphic, violent and sexually explicit content of much of the media our children are exposed to every day needs to be balanced with a positive alternative for youth.

Rising Stars recognizes this and wants to address problems before they occur. We do this by teaching not only basketball skills, but life skills as well. We accept , understand and work under the premise that participation in sports reflects much of life. Understanding and developing sportsmanship, self-discipline, responsibility, and learning the value of hard work develops these skills for life. Becoming a leader in sports means becoming a leader in life.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF RISING STARS?

The goals of our programs are to provide our children with an opportunity to act and interact in a safe environment while learning skills, sportsmanship, and the value of an education.
Rising Stars dedicated and devoted personnel offer basketball skills training but, more importantly, they serve as mentors and positive role models for all of the youth involved in our programs. By their example they set the highest standards for good sportsmanship. Through Rising Stars and our community partners we are able to offer a limited number of programs including drug and alcohol abuse education, academic tutoring and advisement. Rising Stars is a program for all children , of all races and economic backgrounds, because we recognize that every child in today's society is a child at risk.
Our goals include reaching all children, offering scholarships to our clinics and camps, and sharing our philosophy of success with others who want more for our children.

Mission Statement
" If you believe it, you can achieve it!"

To provide an alternative outlet that helps children deter from the social ills that often plague today's youth.
To help fulfill the potential that each child possesses by providing the tools to reach that potential in a positive arena.

Rising Stars was founded 20 years ago by Paul Savramis. The Rising Stars program was developed at the Eastern Invitational basketball Camp, Mr. Savramis was the CEO. In 1990 Mr. Savramis sold his interest in Eastern Invitational to devote his time to developing the Rising Star's message. Rising Stars is a 501c3 and is a registered youth charity in New York State. Rising Stars represents the vision that, "The best way to predict the future is to create it."
Rising Stars strives to make a difference one child at a time, with the belief that working to improve the quality of life for our youth today will determine the quality of life of our tomorrow.
Rising Stars P.A.Y. message (Positive Alternatives for Youth) reaches thousands of boys and girls each year.
P.A.Y.- Positive Alternatives for Youth - The most effective deterrents to the social problems our children face today is not the police, or prisons, or politicians. They simply are involving our children in positive healthy alternative programs that keep them focused and working toward fruitful and productive goals. A positive happy childhood equals a positive future society. Communication, Truth and Positive Information on alternatives go a very long way.

Our programs have reached thousands of children. Our message and philosophy have shown over time to be a deterrent to drugs, violence, promiscuity and other social ills. Alumni of Rising Stars programs have gone on to become professionals in law, medicine and business and have attended the finest colleges in the country. Rising Stars alumni include 30 current NBA players and thousands of collegiate players.

Rising Star. Inc. itself teaches basketball skills, sportsmanship, the value of an education, self discipline, responsibility, and hard work to children. Its goal is to integrate each of its values so that the result yields a strong, confident, and self-respected individual prepared for the challenges that will come ahead. In addition to its own programs, Rising Stars, Inc. provides advice and consulting to various independent organizations that conduct their own clinics, camps, seminars, tournaments, and workshops.

Rising Stars Inc Clinics. We Reach Children! Our clinics are conducted nationwide. At these clinics, children are taught a positive mental attitude that will help them approach any challenge that presents itself. Emphasis is placed on the belief that a miracle exists within every one of us. In the setting of a clinic with basketball as a vehicle, discussions are had on how the application of a positive mental attitude will help students to approach any challenge. Rising Stars, Inc. uses testimonials of past participants who have overcome poverty, physical , academic, and athletic disadvantages to go on to succeed in basketball and in life. There is extensive student-teacher interaction and instruction. Each child becomes a partner in their own development.

Questions about Rising Stars Inc.

Is the group sufficiently broad so that the giving of grants to members of the group will fulfill a charitable purpose?

Yes. Rising Stars, Inc. has a sufficient base of low income participants so that the giving of grants will fulfill a charitable purpose. To date, Rising Stars has picked up the cost of travel for low income players who otherwise could not afford to travel to competitions, or attend clinics or camps. By attending clinics and camps, and participating in competitions, these youths are instilled with a better attitude toward academic achievement, social consciousness and character. With sufficient funding, Rising Stars, Inc. will continue to provide such opportunities and will encourage participation by children who otherwise could not afford to attend.

Are the criteria used in selecting grant recipients related to the purpose of the grant?

Yes. A committee meets with participant and parent (s)/guardian(s), reviews letters of recommendation and evaluates whether participant demonstrates an aptitude for acquiring an appreciation and evaluates whether participant demonstrates an aptitude for acquiring an appreciation of building sportsmanship, character, responsibility, etc. and whether the participant could not attend without some for of assistance from Rising Stars, Inc.

Is the person or group of persons who select the recipients of the grants sufficiently independent so as no to be in a position to derive benefit, either directly or indirectly, if a certain potential grantee is selected over others?

Yes. A committee made up of members of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and parent representatives will make a recommendation to the Board for final approval of grant recipients. No grants will be given to any family member of a person on the committee. The committee will retain sufficient independence so as not to derive any benefits in the selection process.

Are the organization's procedures reasonably calculated to result in performance by grantees of activities that the grants are intended to finance?

Yes. The organization seeks to promote athletic participation by a qualified student athlete.
Without the grants, grantees simply could not attend and participate at all.
Performance is not limited to what is done "on the court". Performance could include participation in future clinics or camps and volunteer work with younger participants on an ongoing basis.

Does the organization plan to obtain reports to determine whether the grantees have performed the activities that the grants are intended to finance?

Yes. The organization will monitor each activity and request a written evaluation from each activity coordinator . A personal follow up with that coordinator and recipient will also be scheduled as part of the process.

Will the organization investigate any possible misuse of funds, withhold further funds during the investigation if a misuse of funds is discovered and seek recovery of misused funds?

Yes. See response to Schedule H.#5. "Funds" themselves would not be granted to participants. Rather, "scholarship" type allowances will be given, on travel expenses covered for those otherwise unable to perform.

Are the grant procedures designed to insure that the grants will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis?

Yes. Rising Stars seeks to promote the integration of sports and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, national origin, color, or disability.

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Contact Rising Stars at :clinics4@aol.com - risingstars@nyc.rr.com
P.O. BOX 1596 Flushing NY 11354
Phone: 718-961-0630 & 516-488-4083