At Risk Youth: Making a Difference with Tony Hopson (Ep 41)

Published by: janean strong on 06-24-2018

Tweet



Tony Hopson Founded Self Enhancement, Inc. in 1981. SEI began as an outgrowth of a week long summer basketball camp aimed at inspiring youth and offering them life skills, mentorship and guidance.

SEI staff develop deep meaningful relationships with at risk students, starting around 8 yrs & the relationship continues through their early to mid 20’s. SEI mentors/co-ordinators work not only with students, but also with their families and are available 24/7 to help.

In 1997, the Center for Self Enhancement was built. It is a physical representation of Tony’s passion for making a difference in the lives of the kids, and also in the neighborhood. The attractive and uplifting 62,000-square-foot space includes a gymnasium, performing arts auditorium, dance studio, library, computer lab and science lab. The building is located in a neighborhood with a history of gang violence, drug dealing, crime and neglect. Before construction began, Tony Hopson Sr. and the other SEI senior staff sat down with the Kerby Blocc Crips, the gang in control of the neighborhood at the time, they discussed SEI’s mission, enlisting their support of the project. The City of Portland also fully supported SEI’s mission—so much so that they leased the land the Center for Self Enhancement stands on for fifty years for only $100!

Center for Self Enhancement website

Tony Hopson email = tonyh@selfenhancement.org

Phone number for SEI = 503-249-1721

Forward Motion: Tony Hopson at TEDxConcordiaUPortland

Listen to Tony Hopson's inspiring story!

You tube video slideshow


Keywords: SEI, Center for Self Enhancement, Tony Hopson, at risk students, mentorship

Get notifications of new Podcast Episodes and Blog Posts