Take-Off, Inc. is a registered 501 (c)(3) charitable organization founded by Eli Quintana, a former professional basketball player.  Inspired to help with the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina ravaged his hometown of New Orleans, Eli took his love for the game of basketball into the urban jungles of FEMA “trailer parks” and set up an ad-hoc basketball camp in order to keep young people off the streets during the extended clean up period after the storm.  Since launching his initial recreational camp, Eli has grown and expanded the organization into camps in cities across the United States and Canada helping inner-city, and even autistic children learn basic life skills and healthy habits through the game of basketball.

Further Stories About Eli’s Efforts Through Take-Off, Inc:

NPR: Creating Community in FEMA Trailer Parks

In the center of the trailer court, Eli Quintana, an energetic former Harlem Globetrotter teaches 18-year-old CJ Mackey some moves on a basketball court that was recently set up.

Quintana says that before basketball, kids at the trailer park would throw rocks at each other for fun. “Now they don’t have time to throw a rock,” Quintana says, “Now they’re just worried about shooting that basketball.”

 

The Times Beacon Record: Teaming up for autism camp at summer’s end

Commack resident Lori Polk’s son Joseph, 7, who is mildly retarded and has communication and cognitive delays, attends summer school but also goes to Our Own Place. He loves the program, she said.

“There are really no demands on him. In school, he has [occupational and physical therapy] and speech, and all kinds of school work to do.  Here, he could just be free and have fun,” she said.

Programs like Our Own Place are important for children like hers, said Polk, a single mother. “There is really nothing offered in the summer. … I always either had to pay a private babysitter or rely on friends and relatives.  Here it’s steady.  He likes it.  He looks forward to going.  It’s very much needed and I hope they’re here again next summer.”

Because there is a two-week gap between summer school and the new school year, Polk said she expects to place Joseph in the Mini Camp.

Topel, whose 11-year-old son Brandon was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, said programs like K.I.D.S. Plus, Our Own Place and the Mini Camp offer outlets for kids with special needs. “There’s so much significantly statistical data-driven studies to support the importance of physical activity, movement, music and socialization for children — not only with disabilities — but all children,” Topel said.