By Emily Iannaconi
Special to GoHolyCross.com
Many people want to help others, but few know how. The logistics and obstacles that go into helping the community can be overwhelming, but senior Kenny Acquah (Bronx, N.Y.), a linebacker on the Holy Cross football team, has not let those challenges prevent him from making a difference in the community that he grew up in.
Acquah is the founder and president of Hope for Us Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in New York City dedicated to assisting youth with sickle cell anemia and children living in low-income communities. Founded in July 2013, the mission statement for Hope for Us is to enhance and improve the quality of life for youth living in low-income communities and children with sickle cell anemia. The “Us” in Hope for Us stands for underprivileged and sickle cell.
A participant in community service in his hometown since age 14, Acquah has always volunteered at different organizations. Upon coming to Holy Cross though, Acquah found that he felt disconnected from the inner-city that he grew up in. “I have a deep love for the inner-city,” Acquah said. “I still wanted to be able to do something for the inner-city when I go back home, so I decided that I would go ahead and create my own non-profit organization back in 2013.”
Acquah decided to focus on children who are suffering from sickle cell anemia because he has friends and family members who have struggled with the disease. “When you have it really bad, you can't participate in a lot of strenuous activities, a lot of sports,” Acquah said. “I had a cousin who tried to be a cheerleader in high school, but even that type of activity landed her in the hospital.”
Acquah believes that these children still need recreational actives to do when growing up. He therefore decided, within his organization, to create an arts program that runs every Saturday. Hope for Us has its own certified arts teacher who has been directing the program since last year. “The kids are really enjoying it,” Acquah said. “When I think to myself, what is one thing I would love to do apart from sports, it's art. I wish I could draw and paint, so from that standpoint, it is me living through them in a way.”
In addition to the arts program, Acquah's organization coordinates toy drives and giveaways, and clothing and food drives. Hope for Us also sponsored a basketball competition last summer. “It was great watching the kids come out with their families because this is not something that they have the funds to do,” Acquah said with a wide smile on his face. “It was great seeing the whole shelter come together and watching everybody play, have fun and improve.”
Finally, in one of their bigger projects, Hope for Us sponsors children for a sleep away camp in upstate New York for a week. “The kids really loved that and they're looking forward to going back,” Acquah said. “Coming from a low income situation I know how constrained funds can get at times and how great an opportunity this is for them.”
When Acquah is at school, he has a strong network of people back home, including his best friend and mom, who make sure that Hope for Us remains organized.“It definitely does get difficult when I'm here, making sure that everything is going perfectly. It all goes back to the supporting cast and the people that support me though. They've been great, and communication is the key in all of this, making sure they're keeping me up to date.”
Despite how young Acquah is, his organization's programs and projects have come to be respected and received well from others. “A lot of them are surprised when I tell them that I'm doing something like this, especially when I tell them that my organization is 501(c)(3) certified,” Acquah said. “They all see how serious I am with it and how much I care about it.”
Acquah admits that the process has had its difficult moments, as some of the parents are not excited about the extracurricular programs. He recognizes that people of low incomes are more focused on how they are going to pay their next light bill than they are with attending a basketball competition. “It's been difficult explaining the importance of extracurriculars to their child's development,” Acquah said. “Just getting that message out to the parents has been the most challenging part.”
Though there are some daily obstacles, Acquah is excited about the strides Hope for Us has made in recent years. He recounted an experience that his best friend and mom had just a couple of weeks ago. “Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx is one of the bigger children's hospitals in New York,” Acquah said. “They invited us to participate in their sickle cell awareness day. And the cool thing about it was that, right next to our table was the Make a Wish Foundation table. We were right there, we're no different. We had our table and they had their's.”
As Hope for Us continues to grow, Acquah has a plan for both his career as well as the future of his foundation. Acquah will begin working at J.P. Morgan Chase full time in New York City when he graduates. He is excited to go back home again and be more present at his organization. “I definitely have long term goals for the next five years,” Acquah said. “Even in the next three years, one of my goals is to have an art program in every hospital in New York that has a sickle cell department.”
For now though, Acquah is appreciative of the everyday moments, especially of the people who take the time to say thank you. “They usually have an organization donate money and then tell the directors of the homeless shelter to do with it as they please, but they don't have organizations who come in and interact with the children,” Acquah said. “Moments like that are always the most rewarding.”
For more information on Hope for Us, visit their website at http://www.trusthope.org.
