Socal Coyotes

‘Above the Line’ is tailored for elementary, middle, and high school levels. The program is designed to build confidence, establish the behaviors that lead to being ‘below the line’, teach standards and principles that empower the children to rise above the trauma and community violence that occurs regularly in their communities and often their own lives, and become the victors, champions, and leaders of the future. Our presentations open with the SVP of the SoCal Coyotes, Ron DiGrandi, telling the children that if someone has not told them that they are loved today, that he and all the team love them, establishing a safe environment. Coach J. Dave Miller is then introduced, and he immediately establishes trust and respect with and for the youth; building trust and affirming the safe environment in which they can speak openly. Coach Cummings is then introduced and he speaks to the children about growing up without a mother or father and overcoming the feelings of abandonment to rise above his circumstances, becoming a decorated 26-year Marine Corp soldier, 6-time Champion Football Coach, and greatest of all an honorable husband of more than 45-years, a father, a grand-father, and an ordained Pastor. Following Coach Cummings, well-accomplished youth from across the Coachella Valley are invited to come to the front and speak to their peers about the positive things happening in their own lives as a result of living ‘Above the Line’ and what that means in their lives. The youth are then asked to commit their lives to living ‘Above the Line’, being accountable, trustworthy, and having integrity in everything they say and do at school and in their personal lives.