Doc Wayne Levels the Playing Field

After a long year of preparation the big day finally arrived! On April 1, 2016 Doc Wayne hosted our inaugural conference, Leveling the Playing Field. The goal of the conference was for leaders from sports, mental health, and social justice to join together and learn about the work of like-minded individuals and nonprofits, exchange ideas, and explore ways to work together to strengthen the communities we serve.

The conference took place at the Microsoft NERD Center in Cambridge and over one hundred and fifty attendants came out to work together and join the conversation on how we can all become game changers. Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey started the day off as our keynote speaker, with a heartening speech about her belief in the power of sports and her strong support of Doc Wayne’s efforts to assist youth. In her opening speech, the Attorney General emphasized, “I believe in the power of sports to overcome violence, build skills, and bring people together.”

The day then continued on with food, fun, and our photo booth! Two panel discussion sessions were held throughout the day with numerous guest speakers weighing in on topics that included: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Violence, and Mental Illness through Innovation and Game Changing Innovations.

The first panel was moderated by WBUR’s Deborah Becker and included representatives from Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, Boston Public Health Commission, New England Community Services, Inc., and Fallon Community Health Plan. The panelists discussed innovative ways we can break the cycle of poverty, violence, and mental illness.

Doc Wayne’s very own Rebekah Roulier joined the second panel discussion with various other game changing innovators. Fred Mann, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation moderated the panel, while guest speakers discussed ways to positively impact youth and reach the goals of the organizations they represent. The representatives on the panel included: Matt Meyersohn from Sports Partnerships at U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Rebekah Roulier from Doc Wayne Youth Services, Marquis Taylor from Coaching4Change, Nikki Valila from My Life My Choice and the Co-founder of Grassroot Soccer, Ethan Zohn represented his organization. The discussion emphasized what we can achieve even with the barriers in our way.

The goals of the conference, were for the participants to exchange ideas, and explore ways to work together to strengthen the communities they serve. Leveling the Playing Field

Members of Doc Wayne’s team

achieved just that. Doc Wayne’s Executive Director, David Cohen’s dream is to see practitioners, local leaders and philanthropists working together to create a continuum of care for our youth (read more). We could not have been happier with how the day went and we have great appreciation for everyone who was in attendance and helped make this event happen. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and determination of the Doc Wayne team and our event sponsors. We cannot wait until next year’s Leveling the Playing Field conference. #BeAGameChanger2016! 

For more information on Doc Wayne please email us at info@docwayne.org or follow us on twitter @DocWayneDtG.

 

Doc Wayne Presents at Massachusetts Association of 766 Private Schools (maaps) Conference

Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org) presented do the good: Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Therapeutic Sports Program at the 2013 Massachusetts Association of 766 Private Schools (maaps) 35th Annual Conference (http://maaps.org).

General Manager Rebekah Roulier, Executive Director David Cohen, and Coach Nikki Valila shared best practices in sport programming to promote normalcy, reduce restraints and social isolations, increase pro-social behaviors as well as create evidence based therapeutic sports programs. Techniques from Doc Wayne’s therapeutic sport-based do the good curriculum were taught.

For more information on Doc Wayne please visit http://www.docwayne.org or email info@docwayne.org

Doc Wayne GM Rebekah Roulier

Doc Wayne Executive Director David Cohen

Doc Wayne Coach Nikki Valila (Youth Villages at Germaine Lawrence Campus)

Group Activity

Doc Wayne Publication: Mainstreaming Trauma-Sensitive Sport Interventions

Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc. (www.docwayne.org) recently published do the good® for all: Mainstreaming Trauma-Sensitive Sport Interventions (bit.ly/14IV06R) on The International Platform on Sport & Development (www.sportanddev.org).

This publication emphasizes the need for increased trauma-sensitive youth programming given the alarmingly regular occurrence of trauma among young people.

At Doc Wayne, we are experienced in working with youth survivors of complex trauma, sexual exploitation, and a host of other difficult life circumstances. In moving forward, we are passionate about bringing best practices accrued through this work to mainstream youth who are facing less dire life circumstances, but who are nonetheless struggling to thrive and flourish at their own pace.

The notion that young people may likely be exposed to trauma during key developmental years and that they can be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of such traumas should no longer, in and of itself, be seen as a revelation. If you are an educator, coach, helper, or administrator and have not yet been exposed to these daunting facts we are here to help.

The authors, Rebekah Roulier (Doc Wayne’s General Manager) and David De Fazio welcome comments and questions in response to this paper. If Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org) can aid your work or collaborate to assist youth please contact:

Rebekah Roulier, Ed.M.

General Manager, Doc Wayne Youth Services, Inc. (Formerly Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc.)

rroulier@docwayne.org

@RLCRoulier / @DocWayneDtG

do the good Basketball Training Photos

Trivia

“Circle Up”

Active Training

Kristen Rasmuseen, former WNBA and Doc Wayne Board Member

Passing

Veteran Coaches Basketball 2012-2013

Doc Wayne at Providers’ Convention and Expo

Rebekah Conway Roulier, Ed.M. (General Manager, Doc Wayne) and Nikki Valila (Sexual Exploitation Coordinator, Youth Villages – Germaine Lawrence Campus and Doc Wayne Coach) presented a workshop at the 37th Annual Providers’ Council Convention & Expo covering the use of sports in the group therapy setting to increase self-esteem, self concept, social awareness and to improve overall effective emotion management. Techniques from Doc Wayne’s sport-based do the good curriculum were taught.

For more information on Doc Wayne please email info@docwayne.org or visit www.docwayne.org 

Roulier and Valila to Present at Providers’ Council Convention and Expo

Doc Wayne’s General Manager, Rebekah Conway Roulier, Ed.M. and Youth Village’s Coach Nikki Valila will be presenting DBT: Sports in Behavioral Treatment of Youth at the Providers’ Council 37th Annual Convention & Expo: Caring It Forward on November, 28th.

DBT: Sports in Behavioral Treatment of Youth

• Rebekah Conway Roulier, General Manager, Doc Wayne Athletic League
• Nikki Valila, Sexual Exploitation Coordinator, Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence Campus

The workshop will cover the use of sports in the group therapy setting to increase self-esteem, self-concept, social awareness and to improve overall effective emotion management. Techniques from Doc Wayne’s sport-based do the good curriculum will be taught.

To register for the conference and Doc Wayne’s afternoon workshop click here: http://secure.providers.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=453

For more information on Doc Wayne please visit www.docwayne.org or email info@docwayne.org.

Giving Common Challenge October 10th and 11th

Doc Wayne is pleased to announce we will be participating in the Giving Common Challenge, a statewide online fundraising effort on October 10^th and 11^th including more than 500 nonprofits from across Massachusetts. Beginning at 8 a.m. on October 10^th, Doc Wayne and others will be highlighting our work and encouraging donations through our profile on Giving Common, an initiative of the Boston Foundation. Donors can give money to organizations through the Giving Common portal.

You can visit Doc Wayne’s profile at http://www.givingcommon.org. A direct link will be available on October 10^th.

You can also help by:

• Spreading the word.
• Posting on your Facebook wall.
• Tweeting  about @DocWayneDtG and #givingcommon
• Watching our progress on the Giving Common website (http://www.givingcommon.org)

Doc Wayne seeks to offer an innovative group therapy experience delivered through the medium of team sports stressing positive youth development.

For more information on Doc Wayne please email info@docwayne.org or visit www.docwayne.org

Doc Wayne BiddingForGood Auction Now Open!

The Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc. Auction To Support Our Efforts In The Upcoming Rodman Ride For Kids Is Officially Open

Place your bid by clicking here: http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/Browse.action?auctionId=170947547&ctemail=dcohen%40docwayne.org&ctmid=158286594#.UEYN_NErMUs.twitter

Whether you’re looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you’re sure to find something in our auction. Every bid helps support our cause.

Tell your friends. The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please refer a friend, encourage them to participate, or spread through social media.

Check out some of these great auction items!  Proceeds will support our organization and our upcoming efforts during the Rodman Ride For Kids.

Examples of online auction items include:

Basketball Meet & Greet and Clinic with Kristen Rasmussen

The winner of this auction will be able to invite up to 15 teammates to meet Kristen Rasmussen and participate in a one hour clinic with Kristen and her Simmons College women’s basketball team. The clinic will be held at Simmons College in Boston…

Evening at The Westin Boston Waterfront

AN EVENING IN BOSTON Complimentary one night stay for two in a traditional guest room and breakfast for two at Sauciety Restaurant. GATEWAY TO BOSTON Our location in Boston’s artfully revitalized waterfront district…

Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Tickets for September 25, 2012

4 right field roof deck seats for the September 25th Red Sox game at Fenway Park against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Thierry Henry Autographed Puma King SL Soccer Cleat

Thierry Henry autographed cleat provided by Puma. Henry, a former French National Team star, currently is a striker for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Playing for Arsenal is where he made his name as a world-class footballer.

Help Doc Wayne (www.docwayne.org)  do the good by providing  youth an innovative group therapy experience delivered through the medium of team sports stressing positive youth development.

Our list of participants include young people who are:

• Victims of abuse and/or neglect
• Underserved
• Sexually exploited
• Impoverished
• Truant
• Differently-abled
• Mentally ill

To contact Doc Wayne please email info@docwayne.org

David Cohen – New England Revolution’s Community MVP

David Cohen, Doc Wayne’s Executive Director, was recognized by the New England Revolution last night at Gillette Stadium as their 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP.

Prior to kickoff, Cohen was presented with the award by New England Revolution President Brian Bilello.

New England Revolution – MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP

David S. Cohen — Doc Wayne Athletic League, Inc.

David S. Cohen, Executive Director of the Doc Wayne Athletic League Inc., is a former college soccer player, with innovative thinking and a desire to serve disadvantaged children. Doc Wayne provides a positive sport experience and life skills curriculum to underserved children, including those who have been traumatized, sexually exploited, truant, gang involved, mentally ill and are differently abled. On a daily basis, David can be seen connecting with youth, teaching sport and life skills and mentoring young coaches. Since joining Doc Wayne, over 200 youth in New England have become involved and over 40 coaches have been trained in youth development techniques and curriculum. David encourages both youth and adults to find their positive path in life through sport. The Doc Wayne Program provides an environment for fragile children to be part of a team, be immediately supported in moments of stress with on-hand (and on court) clinical staff, survive in a large group setting and develop athletic skills David’s desire to enable the community to assist children globally has also been realized through his work as Founder of Playing it Forward, Inc., a non-profit that provides sports equipment to disadvantaged children around the world. Playing it Forward reaches 25,000 children in 9 states and 19 countries.

To learn more about Doc Wayne please visit www.docwayne.org or follow us @DocWayneDtG.

do the good!

David Cohen, Doc Wayne Executive Director with NE Revolution President Brian Bilello

David Cohen, Doc Wayne Executive Director with NE Revolution President Brian Bilello prior to kick off.

David Cohen, Doc Wayne Executive Director receiving signed ball from NE Revolution President Brian Bilello

David Cohen, Doc Wayne Executive Director with NE Revolution President Brian Bilello

David Cohen, Doc Wayne Executive Director accepting NE Revolution Community M.V.P. Award

“Key”munications on Doc Wayne

Doc Wayne Coach Eric Davis (Key Program Outreach Caseworker) and Doc Wayne Liaison Tara Keefe (Key Program Supervisor) submitted an article to their agency newsletter narrating their team’s most recent Doc Wayne boy’s flag football season.

do the good!