Coach Keith Rhodes aims to inspire
Southwest Middle School coach Keith Rhodes aims to instill confidence in kids through his nonprofit Camp Coach Rhodes.
“I’ve been mentoring for a long time and making a difference for a child in their opportunities or their mental health is giving back to the community to me,” said Rhodes, who was born in Boiling Springs.
Rhodes began his camp 15 years ago to focus on educating, encouraging and motivating kids under the age of 18 to become successful in life.
His camp tries to expose kids to different careers through college tours, news station visits, free college and professional basketball game visits, sports camps and more.
He also hosts an annual back-to-school event where students in Gaston and Cleveland counties receive free haircuts and styling, manicures, a free bookbag packed with school supplies, food and more on the Saturday before school starts.
His nonprofit ends up giving away 900 bookbags and feeding 1,000 families per year from the event.
“All students don’t have all the supplies for school, and I want kids to feel confident that they have everything they need to be successful on the first day of school,” said Rhodes.
Throughout the year, Rhodes takes thousands of kids to see the Charlotte Hornets play, hosts athletic summer camps and talent shows and mentors students.
Rhodes gained a partnership with the Charlotte Hornets where he receives 200 tickets for each game to take kids and their families for free.
Students are required to maintain a C average, good behavior in school with no suspensions and good behavior at home to qualify as a ticket recipient.
The tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis but those that qualify and miss the deadline will be able to receive tickets for the following game.
“Some of the parents have told me that they haven’t been to a game or wouldn’t have been able to take their kids,” said Rhodes. “Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces and their parents at the games is priceless.”
Rhodes also takes students on college tours and to news stations to learn the behind-the-scenes work of a broadcast news station.
“Any kid can join but, since I’m a coach, I attract a lot of athletes to the program,” said Rhodes.
Students can also meet professional athletes, managers and sports reporters through his nonprofit.
Students have also met sports managers, reporters and professional athletes like the entire Charlotte Hornets and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball teams.
He started the nonprofit when he felt led to start giving back to the community.
"I've been coaching for about 27 years at high schools, college and training guys for the pros (sports)," said Rhodes. "I noticed a lot of the kids didn't have basic things like opportunities or encouragement they need to succeed so this gives me the opportunity to help."
Rhodes says growing up in subsidized housing motivates him to help kids who don't have all the resources they need for success.
Rhodes graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1993, received a bachelor's degree in psychology and human services at Gardner-Webb University and received a master's degree in human services and administration at Walden University.
"To have a welfare student doing these things just made me believe that it's my duty to give back," said Rhodes.
The next Hornets game ticket giveaway will be Feb. 7.
Rhodes recommends reaching out to him at 980-404-9410 or online if interested in the giveaway.
Reach Janiya Winchester at 704-869-1842 or jwinchester@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia Middle School coach uses nonprofit to motivate students
