About

About Reconstructing Youth Foundation (RYF)

The Reconstructing Youth Foundation (RYF) is a non-profit, nationally recognized, youth organization geared towards providing resources and information essential to assisting in the development of America’s youth specifically pertaining to community development, health, education, arts and culture, physical activities, food, financial literacy and all tools that would aid in the development of a community and at risk youth. The skill set and know-how provided by RYF are engineered to restructure youth from a variety of backgrounds and communities to excel in the areas of education, art, business, finances, health, arts and culture, physical activities, food, nutrition, financial literacy and social service.

Since 2001 RYF has been focused on aiding in youth development and low poverty area development throughout Ga, specifically South West Georgia (Randolph, Clay, Lee, Terrell and Calhoun counties). Children raised in poverty or lower income homes do not have access or accessibility to resources that may change a child’s life or outlook on life, but they encounter challenges that seem impossible to overcome as their brains are familiarized with negative behavior or performance. In conjunction, the goal is not only making sure resources are actually available and attainable, but also to prepare the youth for the many challenges and experiences they are sure to encounter, believing and knowing anything is possible. RYF provides knowledgeable services, events, programs, camps, community service, and seminars to usher in individual success. This individual success is complimented with a balance in mental, physical, and social guidance. The core value of the Reconstructing Youth Foundation is to support the community and youth as they develop their strengths, skills, and talents using effective outreach, camps, programs, seminars and hands on involvement in their lives. Some of our year round programs that aid in our mission are: Free After School Programs (include free meals and snacks, academics, innovative learning, health and physical fitness), Free Summer Programs, Free Summer Camps, Free Meals (which include breakfast, lunch and supper), Athletic Camp, Art and Design Camp, Physical Fitness Camps/Programs, Health Programs, Business Basics Camps, Entrepreneurship, Technology, Mentoring, Education, and Counseling services.

Mission

RYF is an organization that is all about dreams, education, energy, and momentum. We want to “Reconstruct” thought processes, eating habits and learning deficiencies while increasing possibilities and resources. Our Key Focuses are:

•Minimizing food scarcity and food insecurities.

•Increasing community development, jobs and growth.

•Increasing nutrition awareness coupled with the importance of health and physical fitness.

•Ensuring academic achievement and success throughout grade school.

•Providing resources, outlets and access to financial literacy, cultural awareness, technology, social, athletic, artistic and academic endeavors for outlook expansion and development.

We provide pharmacy services, programs, clinics, events, camps, serving sites and nutrition assistance to assist in executing our mission.

Area of Focus:

Southwest Ga and surrounding counties

The internal challenges our communities face include:

Not believing that there are possibilities of opportunity for advancement
Not having exposure to the skills needed for their identified goals
Not possessing the self-esteem or self-assurance that goals can be obtained.

The external challenges our communities face include:

Poverty
Unemployment
Crime and violence
Lack of proper adult supervision
Early exposure toalcohol and drugs
Negative peer pressure

RYF’s objectives and goals are to overcome these adversities and challenges.

Founder

Donnell Harvey is an American professional basketball player. Drafted in the first round he previously played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and Phoenix Suns.

He attended Randolph-Clay High School in Cuthbert, Georgia where he was the consensus 1999 national high school player of the year. In 1999, he was in the McDonald’s All-America Game, was in the USA Today All-USA 1st Team in 1999, and got the Naismith Award as nation’s top high school player in 1999.

Harvey accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators men’s basketball team during the 1999–2000 season. Harvey averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game and was voted to the SEC All-Freshman Team in his only season playing college basketball.

Because of Mr. Harvey’s up bringing and being raised by a low income family it was extremely imperative for him to start an organization that would cater specifically to rural areas starting in South West Georgia so that children with lack of resources and cities with lack of resources have the same opportunities as those that are surrounded with reachable and easy access daily. Mr. Harvey felt that there were so many children who just were not provided with access and resources to be able to achieve their dreams or to be able to feel their dreams were achievable. Mr. Harvey believes it is imperative to provide opportunities to redirect the youth along a successful path. His goal is to encourage dreams, exude positive energy, and force the momentum for success. Supporting the goals of the youth with vital information allows the youth to move effectively and with purpose.

Board Members

Debra Sinquefield – Board Chair

Dr. Ralph Burks – Vice Chair

Dr. Yvonne McCastle – Secretary

Melisa Archie – Board Member

Videos:

(Some Videos are located below). To view additional videos click on the “VIDEOS” tab under “ABOUT” or the following link http://www.reconstructingyouthfoundation.org/videos/

Video: https://www.wrbl.com/community/news-3-neighbors/harvey-helps-hometown-kids-through-hoops/