LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A former Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) teacher and coach is using sports to help students succeed in the classroom. Thanks to a recent grant, this mission is expanding beyond West Louisville.
Located in the Portland neighborhood, the DELTA Foundation offers after-school tutoring focused on math and literacy. It also helps children improve their basketball skills. DELTA stands for Developing Educated Leaders Through Athletics.
“When a kid comes to DELTA," foundation founder Wes Hinton said, "within their first week here, we test their reading levels so we know what we're working with. We've seen great results by having them be consistently up here working on reading and literacy."
The organization has an education-first approach, meaning sports and other activities only happen after a half-hour of classwork is complete. During the school year, around 35 children spend the afternoon at the Portland facility four times a week.
Hinton said DELTA'S motto is, “Nobody touches the court before they touch the classroom.”
Beyond sports and education, the organization also offers mentorship to students. Throughout the year, it provides several volunteer opportunities.
Since its founding in 2019, Hinton said DELTA has helped more than 200 children, primarily in West Louisville. Its programming comes at no cost to families.
Recently, the organization was recognized for its work in the form of a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Louisville. DELTA was one of five community organizations to receive the award from the women-led nonprofit.
“Chills went down my spine, man, to be honest with you," said DELTA Foundation assistant director Jacob Scrubb. "And then I just got excited, man, because it feels good when you put in work and you see things come to fruition."
DELTA will use this money to expand its after-school program to the Newburg neighborhood with help from the Boys & Girls Club. It will start by offering its "Hoops & Homework" program twice a week next year.
“It’s an area that needs resources," Hinton said. "They have a lot of the same issues that we face in West Louisville."
Hinton said sports was the reason he graduated high school. He’s now using that passion to drive students toward success.
Beyond basketball, DELTA offers other extracurricular activities, including archery, gymnastics and digital design. The after-school program also serves meals provided by Dare to Care.
More information about DELTA can be found on its website.