The NY Giants and My Sisters’ Place have partnered to begin a new
prevention-based initiative, the Giant Steps through Athletics Program.
About our Giant Steps through Athletics Program:
This holistic, youth-led prevention program partners with middle and high school student athletes and community sports programs in Westchester county and is centered around:
- Healthy Relationships: Student Athletes will develop an understanding of healthy relationships and behavior, while identifying what type of behavior is unhealthy, disrespectful, or abusive.
- Challenge Norms: Student Athletes will adopt an understanding of the impact of gender norms on relationships, and in turn challenge the underlying assumptions and expectations about gender norms that dictate behavior, question what is “acceptable” or expected of Student Athletes in dating relationships, and develop an awareness of systems of oppression and their impact on interpersonal violence prevention.
- Leadership & Culture Shift: Student Athletes will practice healthy team culture on and off the field, and then utilize their platform to impact school culture toward one that embodies respect, equality, and safety. Student Athletes will be equipped with the ability, vocabulary, and confidence to intervene when witnessing abusive or disrespectful behavior, engage in opportunities to demonstrate visible leadership within school or community sports programs and beyond, and adopt a lifestyle of leadership and influence.
Giant Steps through Athletics also equips school and community-based Coaches and Adult Influencers with the knowledge, tools, and language to guide and support their Student Athletes, while assisting in culture shift and Student Athlete leadership development. As needed, Student Athletes will be connected with a network of support and community-based role models and Adult Influencers.
To learn about the program's vision and values, click here.
The above video describes our services in ASL.
For more information about our Giant Steps through Athletics program, contact giant_steps@mspny.org.
About our Student Athlete Advisory Board:
Our Giant Steps through Athletics Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) was created to provide leadership opportunities, real and raw conversation, and a space for our Giant Steps through Athletics program to remain accountable to its value of being student athlete centered and led.
Consisting of a diverse group of 8-12th grade athletes from across Westchester, the SAAB meets once a month. The purpose of the SAAB is to equip athletes to use their platform on and off the field to promote MSP’s mission on their teams, schools, and in their communities. SAAB members also provide valuable input and help lead our Giant Steps program.
In addition to having many great leadership opportunities and to finding support amongst other athletes doing the same, SAAB members receive community service hours, a recommendation letter from the NY Giants, and can include their participation on resumes, job, or college applications.
Click on the video below to hear directly from some of our SAAB members!
