Jackie Joyner-Kersee‘ Winning In Life programme expanding thanks to Athletics for a Better World

Jackie Joyner-Kersee developed the Winning In Life programme over 20 years ago to help female athletes in high school become leaders, team players, improve grades and their confidence and her Foundation has received funding from the IAAF Athletics for a Better World initiative in order to expand its reach.

The funding has allowed the Foundation to turn the concepts developed in Jackie’s autobiography ‘A Kind of Grace’ and 20 years of speeches, lesson plans and discussions into a coherent curriculum.

The curriculum focuses on 13 principles that include; determination, dedication, self-respect and service.  

Each principle is taught in a one hour session through classroom instruction, discussion, role playing, inspirational messages from Jackie, and physical activity.

The funding has also allowed the programme to be expanded to include boys and girls in elementary and middle schools, not just female athletes in high school, and will now be offered all-year-round by the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation: after school, in summer camps and other sports programmes.

Jackie remains an active part of the Winning In Life programme and continues to be involved as a facilitator and instructor.

It is the need in urban communities, like East St Louis where she grew up, that keeps Joyner-Kersee going, connecting with children and seeing them achieve their goals.

Winning In Life participant Aaliah Herron, aged 17, commented. “I like Winning In Life, because it shows everyone about character and how we need dreams and drive to get where we need to go. We need to exercise, in Winning In Life we get to have a voice.”

Aaliah said she learned about determination in the programme. “Determination is when I squat and lift 385 pounds. It’s going down and getting back up with a big uuuughh! I did it!”

She is currently at high school at East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis and competes in the shot put and discus. Later this year, she will be is on her way to Southeast Missouri State University with a full scholarship.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s vision is to offer the Winning In Life curriculum – including training coaches and youth development staff in youth programs, schools, and civic organizations – all over the world.

“It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret, that is Winning In Life. The IAAF grant makes it possible for my Foundation to support boys and girls in reaching their highest potential,” said the woman universally known by the acronym JJK.

“The Winning In Life Program is unique in that helps youths find their own power. Youths learn to translate goal setting, practice, execution and team work in sports into skills that will help them succeed in almost anything,” added Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation Executive Director, Johanna Wharton.

The Foundation serves over 2200 youth each year, through after school programmes, summer camps, sports and character education.

Source: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation

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