Torii & Katrina Hunter to Launch Innovative Program to Benefit Detroit Public School Students

DETROIT (Sept. 22, 2014)  Heart of a Champion, a program designed to elevate the lives of 7,500 students in 39 Detroit schools, will launch Sept. 23 at 12:30 pm, at Fisher Magnet Upper Academy, with a high-energy kick-off event including Katrina Hunter, wife of the Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter, school district officials and city dignitaries.

Through their charitable effort, The Torii Hunter Project, the Detroit Tigers All-Star outfielder and his wife are funding the program for the school district. Heart of a Champion is a character-building program that is proven to reduce dropout rates and increase student performance and graduation rates among students in 26 states.

"We are excited to bring a program to Detroit that has been proven to directly produce positive change in the lives of students," said Torii Hunter. "Katrina and I are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Detroit Public Schools to make a difference in the lives of kids in our city."

"We have had such a great experience in the two years we have been here and have developed a love for the people of Detroit," said Katrina Hunter. "We can think of no better investment to make than in the youth of this city."

The Heart of a Champion program consists of innovative learning modules, which have proven to be successful with middle school and high school students in 26 states across the U.S. over the past 15 years. The organization has been recognized by the White House, and has been invited to testify before the U.S. Congress on multiple occasions due to the program's success.

"The Heart of a Champion program has the power to change students' lives," said Steve Riach, Founder and Board Chairman of the Heart of a Champion Foundation, a Dallas, TX based nonprofit organization. "Thanks to the efforts of Torii and Katrina, we will see the lives of Detroit students impacted with inspiration instilled that will hopefully last a lifetime."

"Detroit Public Schools is committed to helping its students achieve academic success, and grow to become strong, productive members of the Detroit community," said DPS Emergency Manager Jack Martin. "We recognize, however that we cannot do this on our own and greatly appreciate the assistance of Torii and Katrina Hunter, the Detroit Tigers organization and the Heart of a Champion Foundation for partnering with us to make a positive impact on the lives of our students."

The Heart of a Champion curriculum has been proven to change lives with students from a variety of cultural, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds. Based on empirical, measurable data, it is the program of choice for organizations from schools to inner-city youth programs to corporate boardrooms across the country. This comprehensive program teaches and reinforces positive character traits while incorporating critical thinking and decision making exercises and inculcating emotional intelligence. Program results have demonstrated increases in graduation rates, grade averages, individual student self-esteem, and motivation to succeed, as well as decreases in dropout rates, drug and alcohol use, cheating, bullying and referrals.

Faculty and students who participate in the launch of the Heart of a Champion program will have the opportunity to attend the game at Comerica Park on Tuesday, September 23 when the Tigers take on the Chicago White Sox. The tickets are courtesy of Torii Hunter, the Detroit Tigers and MLB's Commissioner's Community Initiative.  

Along with the Katrina Hunter and Mr. Riach, the event will include area rapper Beacon Light, local hip hop dance group I.D. Crew, leaders from the Detroit Public Schools, and city officials.  

Companies or individuals interested in partnering with the Torii Hunter Project and Heart of a Champion to further the impact of the initiative in Detroit area schools, should contact David Pointer at: [email protected] or 817-427-4621.