CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — With football season just around the corner, two Champaign high school teams faced off in a rivalry match on Sunday. But this event was about much more than just local bragging rights.
Centennial and Central met for a 7 vs. 7 game in the first Crosstown Classic. It promoted safety and trust for kids in the area.
“We’re here to create a supportive environment for the youth in our community, showing them that we believe in them, that we’re here for them, and that there’s always a safe space for them,” expressed Kwanesha Aker, the founder of Anointed Youth.
The Crosstown Classic kicked off their first event at Hessel Park with a football game, school supply giveaway, and free food.
“We’re trying to create safe spaces and positive activities like we’re doing today,” co-owner of Saving our Streets, Deshunta Aikens, said.
Saving our Streets is a community-driven initiative aiming to break the cycles of violence, poverty, and despair. Anointed Youth shares a similar mission.
“We’re committed to establishing something meaningful, ensuring that young people stand for something. We’re crafting these safe spaces because the level of violence has been alarming,” Kwanesha explained. “We don’t want to lose any more of our youth.”
Ziyer Aker is a Central High School football player. He said the work the two groups have done is important to him and his peers.
“Out here is just getting bad and stuff, and we got people in the community that still care for the youth,” Ziyer said.
Aikens said when he was growing up, they didn’t have groups like this investing in them.
“We recognize the importance, particularly for kids at this age, to have role models or figures they can admire, rather than those who look down on them,” added Aikens.
For Kwanesha — Ziyer’s mom — it’s personal, too.
“I’m a mother. I’m a community mom at the end of the day, and it’s important to save our youth because they are our future, ” Kwanesha said.
Their work has rubbed off because Ziyer knows the importance of leading by example.
“I ensure everyone is doing well and making the right choices, emphasizing the importance of attending school and enjoying themselves,” Ziyer said. “If you’re engaged in positive activities, perhaps others will choose to set aside violence and play football instead because they see us having fun, and they’ll want to join in.”
Organizers said they chose a 7 vs. 7 matchup because sports is a great way to connect with the youth. They also gave away gift cards and hosted other activities for people of all ages.
