AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mission of Hope (MOH) is excited to partner with the Feely Family Foundation to develop a new sports complex and technical school in Haiti! Jay Feely, placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals, and his brother John Feely took their first trip to Haiti in 2011 to run a sports clinic at Mission of Hope. This popular summer soccer camp quickly became the first of several annual sports camps, solidifying their position as key catalysts for the growing sports ministry at MOH. Their passion for seeing life transformation through sports was a perfect match for the vision of Mission of Hope. Bob King, MOH Chief Operating Officer, summed up the hope for the anticipated impact of this partnership: "We are excited and humbled to partner with the Feely Foundation as we have seen their integrity in serving the people of Haiti. May this partnership be one that changes a nation!"
Mission of Hope believes that one of the primary issues facing Haiti today is lack of investment in leadership development in young people. According to Brad Johnson, MOH President: "Haiti's future depends on young men and women who are grounded in the Gospel, and impassioned with a vision for their nation. Great things are already happening here as more and more young graduates from our schools are choosing to stay in Haiti, leveraging their skills to serve and lead in Haiti. We believe that both this sports program and the technical training school are critical opportunities we have to engage these young leaders on an entirely new level to see a nation transformed!"
In a strategic effort to serve, train, and mentor Haiti's young men and women, MOH plans to construct a sports facility equipped with soccer fields, basketball courts and stadium, a weight training facility, a soccer & track stadium, an 1800-seat outdoor amphitheater, and a public park, as well as to establish recreational and competitive sports programs serving students and athletes, ages 10-25. MOH and the Feely Foundation share the belief that these facilities and programs are one of the most strategic offerings they can provide to build mentoring relationships with young men and women, presenting them with the good news and adventure of Jesus Christ, and ultimately developing them into mature leaders with respect for authority, others and themselves. In addition, Mission of Hope has begun construction on a technical school on the same site to provide job-specific training for high school graduates and working professionals.
Jay Feely states, "The Feely Family Foundation is proud to partner with MOH in Haiti to continue the rebuilding process of this beautiful country. We will be focusing on building a sports complex and technical school to aid the development of Haiti's most precious export, its people. We hope to instill character, integrity, and leadership into Haitians so they will be the next leaders to guide this country into prosperity."
With its close proximity to the central MOH campus in Titanyen, Mission of Hope is eager to mobilize North American professional and college athletes to serve each year at these sports camps providing sports training and mentoring for young Haitian athletes. Together, Mission of Hope and the Feely Foundation want to bring hope to this nation and life transformation to every man, woman, and child in Haiti.
For more information about Mission of Hope, visit www.mohhaiti.org.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=26846
