LOS ANGELES – The message is simple.

“Remember the key concept is focus, making sure that we focus. Remember we do a lot better when we focus on what we’re doing,” said Marc Maye, 4WRD Progress program director.

Lover of all things basketball, Marc Maye, who has worked as a teacher for 14 years, delivers this message by first getting kids to understand the basics of the game of basketball.

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“Teach them hand eye ball coordination.  Just getting their fingers and hands adjusted and used to the ball so before we start dribbling they have a good feel and concept for the ball,” said Maye.  

The thought to bring these two ideas together is what led Maye and one of his closest friends to create 4WRD Progress. Their concern is for kids who are more likely to end up murdered or in jail than on a professional sports team.

“We grew up in the inner city you know Compton, South Central Los Angeles and Watts. We’ve been in that position to where we had to choose the right way to go. We are just one small village trying to help as many kids as we possible can in our backyard,” said Maye.

The organization started in 2017 as a summer program, but after a happenstance meeting through a mutual friend, show time Lakers legend Kurt Rambis came to an event and has supported them ever since. Since then 4WRD Progress has grown to heights Maye says he never expected.

“It was just to impact as many young people as we could.  We had no idea that we would be in the position this we are in now,” said Maye.

That expansion is why kids like Caden Brown now get to attend their year around “iPlayiLead” Monday evening events.

“When they do it it’s like magic sometimes. I play football too.  I play basketball too.  But basketball just brings out something in me working together with people,” said Brown.

He is grateful for the care and attention he receives trough the organization.

“It tells us how we can be better people on the court and at home off the court it’s really great what we’re doing here.  This whole organization is amazing,” said Brown.

Once the drills are done they take the time to reinforce these lessons with the whole group. With a young girl in the center of the circle, they all repeat the group’s core values. They rotate between multiple kids attending the event.  

Maye said he is happy that he found a way to take the game he loves and pour out life lessons to these kids.

“You know that’s what God put us on this earth for and we found out true purpose and we’re living in our purpose and we love it. And we’re going to do whatever we can to help these young people become successful as they possibly can,” says Maye.

Aligning purpose and passion to create the change in his community.