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Athletic center in Syracuse gives at-risk youth opportunity Athletic center in Syracuse gives at-risk youth opportunity

Through the sport of boxing a non-profit provides a safe haven for at-risk youth

By Alexander Peebles

Peebles:
Many people know Ray Rinaldi as one of the best Boxing Coaches in the area, but what they may not know is that Ray and the West Area Athletic and Education offer boxing along with GED classes to help at-risk youth to succeed in the world outside of the ring.

Rinaldi:
We have more kids going to college than that High School across the street.

Peebles:
Rinaldi is referring to Fowler High School. From the outside looking in, it may be easy for some to jump to conclusions, but Rinaldi does not see what those people see.

Rinaldi:
YOU GOTTA GET THIS GHETTO NON-SENSE OUTTA YOUR MIND OKAY, PEOPLE SAY WELL WHY CAUSE WE’RE GHETTO. THAT’S BALOGNA , I GET KIDS AT RISK

Peebles:
Like Rinaldi, Head Boxing coach Chris Burns sees these kids as mis-understood by society.

Chris Burns:
What society is saying you’re not good enough for, we make them realize, not only are you good enough smart enough to be able to do this. But It is kind of worth your while, you are worth doing this.

Peebles:
While the center has helped mold many champions over the years, Burns takes more pride in what his kids accomplish outside the ring.

Burns:
Growing into great fathers and family members, and seeing them go do positive things in the community. That’s way better than any boxing championship that they get along the way.

Peebles:
This boxing gym may have heavy bags, and coaches that yell, but it is also a place for kids to come and just be themselves.

Nevaeh Anderson:
Well at first is was a place for me to let my anger out and talk.

Peebles:
What started out as an escap for Nevaeh Anderson and her brother Amir, boxing has turned into something much more.

Amir Anderson:
In the past Ive been dealing with bullies, and fighting and stuff so I came here like for my relief… So b oxing is life to me.

Peebles:
At one point in his life, Ray would have agreed with Amir. But now these kids are life to Ray.

Rinaldi:
I love him, He’s a champion. He has more heart here than anyone.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Located on the 300 block of South Geddes Street in Syracuse, The West Area Athletic and Education Center helps at-risk youths through boxing and schooling.

Ray Rinaldi founded the non-profit in 1994, and began his mission to help bring opportunity to the less fortunate. In Rinaldi’s eyes, boxing is merely the hook to bring kids through his doors, as the center also offers several G.E.D. classes. Rinaldi added that the discipline that boxing teaches cannot be taught through any other sport.

“These kids, you can change them all, 10, 11, 12, 13 years old. They have no discipline, this is 100 percent discipline,” Rinaldi said. “Ain’t nobody wants to get hit so you pay attention?”

Rinaldi’s nephew Chris Burns is the Head Boxing Coach at the center. Burns shares his uncle’s passion for changing lives and he looks forward, not only to the accolades his boxers receive, but what they accomplish outside the ring.

“Growing into great fathers and family members, and seeing them go do positive things in the community,” Burns said. “That’s way better than any boxing championship that they get along the way.”

Barb Karas has been working and volunteering for Rinaldi for 12 years and said, once kids come through the doors, they share a special bond.

“You have kids from the wealthiest families in Syracuse, and you have kids from the poorest families in Syracuse, but when they come here they are all family,” Karas said.

Ray Rinaldi turns 90 years old in November. But Rinaldi does not plan on slowing down any time soon.

“We have already set Ray’s retirement, it’s going to be 20 years, I think he has left on his contract,” Burns said.

And when that time comes, Burns will be there ready to fill his shoes.

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