The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Archive photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Dukes Up: In this photograph from 2004, Sunnyvale detective Joe Ramirez demonstrates the proper way to stay balanced in the ring. Students are (from left) Juan Ordaz, Armando Lopez and Edgar Gonzalez.
Boxing program is fighting for space
By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL
Before the city of Sunnyvale fell to 38th on the list of safest cities in the United States, it rested firmly in the top 10, a standing some in the city attributed to proactive police work and after-school programs.
And now, the prime example of both of those efforts--the Columbia Middle School after-school boxing program--is in danger of vanishing if it does not find a new home.
The program--currently set up in the Columbia Middle School gym--serves 25 to 30 students every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the year. Unlike school programs that often end with the summer, or summer leagues that end with the start of school, the boxing program gives at-risk youth a place to go all year.
Because it is in a dense residential area just south of Highway 101, it is close enough to most students' homes that they can walk or ride their bikes to the gym.
"There are a lot of kids who would rather be in here than out on the streets; where are they all going to go?" asked Sunnyvale resident Greg Gutierrez, whose 10-year-old son boxes with the program.
Columbia Middle School plans to turn the gym into a new library. Construction was meant to start in January, but changes to the schedule have given the boxers a reprieve until August 2007.
If a new location is not found by then, the program and all its equipment will go into storage indefinitely.
Thanks to grants and donations, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Det. Jose Ramirez and his coaches have been able to provide a free after-school program to promote discipline, camaraderie and fitness for hundreds of Sunnyvale youth since April 2004.
"After-school programs are key, especially martial programs," said volunteer coach Mark Richardson. "Kids are excited to be a part of them."
Advanced Micro Devices, which gave one-third of the $1 million needed to build the Columbia Neighborhood Center, also donated more than $15,000 for equipment including a 22-foot by 22-foot practice ring. A local 24-Hour Fitness facility also donated "retired" equipment such as weights and Nautilus machines for training.
Because the program has been given a few more rounds to fight, Ramirez said they're still working hard to find a new location.
"We don't want to be right back here in the same predicament six months from now," he said.
Ramirez said unless a community building, school or other group can provide space, the program will either close or look at renting out space.
"Everyone seems interested, but finding the space is the hard part," Ramirez said. "I'm pretty sure that if we put our heads together, we'll be able to find something."
If the program is saved, Ramirez said he wants to begin to branch out from boxing and provide other activities for local children. He envisions a full community center with boxing, martial arts, art classes, a study area and perhaps even an in-house counselor.
Detective Ramirez is looking for people in the community willing to help the program find a new location. To reach him, call 408.472.6787 or email him at jramirez@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.
