Gym Shut Down Due To Concern

On February 11th, I walked into work as usual. I had barely signed in on my timesheet when Steve had me come into a meeting with him and Colleen, who works in risk management.  Less than 15 minutes later, I was sent home. I was told that the park district has a concern about my health. I've been using a cane for about three years. "Why is there a concern now?" I asked. Colleen claimed not to know, while Steve remained silent. Before being allowed to return to work, I had to see a company doctor.

I saw the doctor, a kindly sort, who upon learning the Chicago Park District does not offer health insurance to most of its part-time employees, gave me information about a sliding-scale clinic near my home. I also finally learned that I have nerve damage in my left leg. It's treatable but the doctor I saw can't take me on as a patient due to conflict of interest. The doctor released me to return to work on light duty.

Upon returning to work the following day, Steve told me that HR had to clear me to return to work. HR claimed there is no light duty for the boxing program. Until I am cleared for full-duty with no restrictions, I'm not allowed to work.

I sent emails back and forth to HR and cc'd both Steve and Colleen about the situation.  I even got the union involved. But still, I have no clarification about the rules and regulations involving me being forced off of work. It appears that no one at CPD, nor the union, is willing to give answers. I've been using my limited sick time and personal days to cover my absence, because, well, I still have to pay bills. Yet the way I was blindsided by this makes me wonder if I'm still considered to be an employee of the park district.

A visit to the doctor at the sliding-scale clinic did not result in a recommendation that I can return to work. On my limited salary, I can't afford to keep paying to see them. This incident has put me into yet another set of shaky financial situations.

Meanwhile, the gym remains closed.  Next week is the end of the winter session. It's too late to gather anyone to get up to speed to participate in the Chicago Golden Glover nor the Chicago City-Wide Boxing Tournament.

I'm angry.

Funny, But Not Funny

Jules, the teen who constantly asks questions yet has no listening skills, finally showed up at the boxing gym. "I know how to box," he told me. At that moment, I decided I was not doing any coaching. I leaned against the equipment table and let Jules show me what he knew.

The first clue that Jules' knowledge wasn't extensive was the fact the teen did not know how to wrap his hands. He had his own pair of boxing gloves, however. I also learned that Jules did not know what the bell timer was, nor the difference between the heavy and speed bags. Jules' punches were sloppy and unfocused. No head movement was done, and Jules' footwork was dismal. Every question he asked that most boxers would know I responded dryly to with, "I thought you knew how to box, Jules."

It was very hard to keep from laughing sarcastically, even though in reality, the situation wasn't funny. I didn't hold back on making sarcastic comments, however.  Jules is slow on the draw but manages to catch when I'm not in the mood for bull. He asked, "Is everything okay?" "Just fine, I'm just fine," I answered, barely hiding my smirk. I feel sometimes that Jules is trying to make me feel guilty for not acting friendly, but I got news for him - it won't work.

Finally, Jules said he never took one boxing lesson before. It was more like goofing around with friends after halfway paying attention to a boxing match on TV. "I know that this is going to be hard," Jules said, but I doubt that there is a clear understanding of what work has to go into learning the sport.

I was asked, "How late can I be to class?" followed by "I can't be here every day," because Jules is playing basketball. Jules begged me for weeks to be in the class. After finally getting that I was not going to let anyone in the class who had not registered, he brought his mom in to fill out the form. After all of that, it took three weeks for Jules to bring himself to the gym. Then Jules had the nerve to tell me what he can and can't do? Coach James told me Jules is a good kid. I don't know good kids who are manipulative, selfish, trying to run games on adults, hard-headed, and giving the impression of being uncoachable.

Doubling Down

Rick, who has been helping out in the boxing gym, said that youths who are in the program but don't want to compete and/or are participating in other sports should not be hindered from registering. However, no time and effort should be put in on my part to train them. "Let them hit the bags all they want, but spend time on the youths who really want to fight," Rick said.

I've been doing that for a while, but I've also begun to double down on my expectations of people who are in the program. Yesterday, I had to check Jules' mother about what I was not going to continue to put up with from her son. I wasn't going to bother making a courtesy call. However, I was curious about what was going on since Jules had begged me for weeks to be in the class. She registered him for boxing on January 17th, and that was the only day Jules has been in the gym. I was told that Jules has been involved in some activity at school this week, but that didn't explain why her son was not in the class on the other days. "If Jules doesn't want to follow rules, then Jules need not show up to the gym," I informed her.

Tiyana has also been gone for weeks with no explanation. Jamire dropped out after the first week after I announced I wasn't tolerating the same behavior that Jamire displayed three years ago when he was in the gym. Jaquazz and Amarion have been missing, and Richard has been skipping days. Elijah and Jazzmyne can only attend the program once a week for the time being.  None of the adults who are registered have been showing up for class. I was talking about possibly attending the City-Wide Boxing Tournament this year, but that is looking like a no-go again for this year.

My supervisor asked for a list of what equipment I need, and I gave it to him. Whether or not I get what I asked for is another issue. The football, basketball, and baseball teams never deal with a lack of resources because they get help from some of the professional sports organizations in town. The coach of those teams is also allowed to have fundraisers, but for reasons that still aren't exactly clear, I'm not allowed to do that for boxing. Even the swim team gets some outside support. I'm at the mercy of depending on whether there is enough money in the field house's budget.

Patience and Breakage

The one uppercut bag in the gym crashed down to the floor while Richard, who returned to the program after a couple of years, was using it.  I knew one of the bags in the gym would fall eventually, but I thought it would be one of the heavy bags.  I have a new one in the supply room, but I will need help in putting it up. 

Speaking of returns, Jamire's appearance, after having been gone for three years, wasn't exactly welcomed.  The same issues that were going on back them - not fully participating nor paying attention, whining, etc. - are still on display.  I read Jamire the riot act, in front of his mom, about the expectations that are still in place.

Rick has returned to help out, but Steve still expects him to fill out a volunteer form.  I understand that is the park district policy.  However, I'm in agreement with Rick being concerned about how his personal information is going to be handled by other staff members.  Several months ago, information regarding money that I owe to the city was lying around the front desk counter for everybody to see.  That stuff happens too often down there like the gossip and backbiting.  I don't want Rick to be discouraged from helping and being frustrated in his efforts.  Sahia hasn't been to the gym to volunteer in months, and due to family matters, she probably is not going to return.  I would like for Rick to keep helping out.

I don't make it a secret that my patience with most of the youths' behaviors at the field house, whether the youths are in my program or not, is extremely thin.  I need another adult there to give me a chance to go off into a corner and take a few deep breaths whenever something happens inside the gym that really works my nerves. 

Speaking of working my nerves, one of the teens who keeps bombarding me with questions about joining the boxing program was at it again recently.  I learned their parents don't want to sign him up.  The teen grumbled about "my parents won't support what I want to do", but that is everybody's story.  I was discouraged from going into the military, from being a police officer, and from being an actress/singer.  Most youths refuse to accept that they are going to have to wait until they become 18 years old before they can do whatever. 

Upon learning their parents would have to come in to complete registration, the teen got on his cell phone to call his mom.  She refused to come down to the field house.  That particular day was her birthday.  Why did the teen think it was a good idea to expect their mom was going to interrupt their special day for something they had already given no as their answer?  Really?

Yawning At The End

Earlier this month, I received a surprise visit from Doneisha and her son Tony.  Tony was in the boxing class about a couple of years ago; these days, Tony is in military school.  He's doing well.  His mom is thinking about returning to boxing herself to get some exercise.

This month has mostly been quiet.  I don't have the gym open during the breaks, not even during this one which is the longest of the year.  I always need to decompress, especially after this recent fall session.  Dealing with Caiden, Keon, and Kevin's attitudes was NOT the highlight of that session.  I keep checking the roster on the computer and hoping they haven't changed their minds and decided to sign up for class again.  So far, so good.

As usual, my supervisor has expressed concerns about the low numbers in the youth classes.  Only Elijah, his sister Jazzmyne, and Richard, another kid who used to be in the class a couple of years ago, are registered.  I found some old registration forms to use because I'm not leaving in the middle of classes to sign up anyone for class. The usual habit of most is to not sign up until the second or third week of class.  I've learned that people aren't thinking about signing their kids up for extracurricular activities during the holiday season. 

Another reason for not leaving the class to register people is that I don't have Sahia in the gym to watch when I have to step away.  She's been gone due to a family medical situation since mid-summer.  I'm beginning to have my doubts that she will be able to return.  My supervisor gave Rick, a former boxing coach, a volunteer application when he noticed Rick was showing interest in hanging around the gym.  There was some resistance on Rick's part about filling out the form.  Now I haven't seen nor heard from Rick in weeks.  I left a voice message for him, but I didn't receive a return call.

I'm not making any predictions for the year 2020.  There are too many improvements that need to happen in the boxing program that may not take place - again - next year. 

Speaking of Relatives

A guy named Terrance was working with a production crew that was filming scenes for an untitled movie at the field house.  He took this photo.  I'm smiling for the camera and Terrance.  However, the three in the background - Caiden, and his cousins Keith and Keon - I had no smiles available.

I don't know what is going on with them, but for the last week or so, running the class with them has been difficult.  It has gotten to the point that I'm not listened to at all, and I'm constantly being disrespected.  I called Caiden's mom, who said she would talk to him.  She also said she would talk with Keon and Keith's dad.  There has been no change in behavior, especially where Caiden is concerned.  Keith is just clueless.  I don't really feel right lumping Keon in with the other two because he is more serious about learning something than his brother and cousin.  But Keon gets distracted by them during class.

I often dread when youths who are related to each other are in the boxing class.  The youths play around with each other, etc., and nothing much in the way of training gets done.  There are exceptions.  For example, Jazzmyne and Elijah, siblings who are in the teen class, are always on-point in regards to working hard while they are in the gym. 

But not so with Caiden, Keith and Keon.  Those youths had been talking about their disinterest in boxing for a while.  I let it go for the longest time, but early last week, I couldn't act like I hadn't heard what was said. I put the boys in check for making statements in front of me about how they find boxing boring, they don't like shadowboxing, they don't want to do the warm-up, etc.  I also brought up how I didn't appreciate the disrespect that was shown towards Rick, a former coach who has been stopping by the gym.  All have said they don't plan to be in the class after this current session is over.  Ever since that conversation, the relationship between them and I has gone down. 

I gave them the option of not coming to the gym at all anymore.  After all, their parents wouldn't be losing any money because boxing is free for youths.  Keith gave me some explanation as to why they won't drop the class, but I was so angry with Keith and his brother and cousin that I didn't pay attention to what was said.  I don't even pretend to want to train them anymore, and my level of sarcasm is off the charts whenever I have to say anything to them.  All is left is counting down the days until this session is over. 

There Are Other Reasons Than Money

There are PSAs currently running on television bemoaning the fact that kids are dropping out of youth sports.  CBS News recently released a report stating that middle-class and poor kids are pulling out of sports due to not being able to afford to participate in them.  Lack of money is an issue especially in certain sports like tennis and golf, which carry heavier prices to play than others.   know of at least a couple of kids who dropped out of the boxing program because of their parents not being able to afford money for gas or bus fare to get the kids to the gym.  That happens.  However, lack of money is not the sole reason for the lack of participation in every case.

Technology is heavily to blame.  We now live in a world where playing video games is considered a sport.  There are massive gaming competitions that take place, some on a worldwide level.  I've had kids in the boxing gym tell me they can't wait until class is over so they can go home to their XBoxes, Nintendo Switches, and Play Stations.  Often, the kids are registered for my program because their parents and guardians want to keep them from sitting and playing video games constantly. 

It appears that many grade schools have cut back on physical education classes.  Some grade schools don't have those classes at all.  Of the ones who still do, kids have told me they play kickball or dodge ball during the classes.  They don't do exercises.  I know because of all the blank looks I receive when I ask the kids to do crunches, push-ups, leg raises, etc.  The kids don't know how to do any of that.  It makes me wonder if the kids are moving much during recess if that is still allowed in most schools.  I'm guessing recess is probably another chance to play video games on their cell phones.

Housework is a way to get exercise.  Judging by the kids I deal with, it doesn't seem they are required to do that at home.  A kid on one of the sports teams at the field house asked me where he could find a broom and I pointed to a nearby utility closet.  They pulled out a mop.  When I corrected them, they went back to the closet and pulled out another mop.  I remember another kid telling me they shouldn't have to do housework because their only job should be to have fun. 

Parents who don't support the youth programs are another reason.  I have to deal with parents who use my program for babysitting purposes and don't care what their kids are doing while in class. On the other side of the coin are helicopter parents who push their kids to the point where the kids no longer find sports fun.  Those same parents grumble to me and the volunteer about everything from the length of the gym hours to the quantity of equipment available for use. 

The cries about kids dropping youth sports don't tell all of the stories. 

Cancel Summer

A couple of days ago, Sahia forced Jaylen to give me a statement about planning to do better in the gym.  I wasn't impressed as Jaylen's words were insincere and the boy's attitude was extremely funky.  "Uncoachable kids turn into adults who don't want to listen when someone is trying to tell them something to help them out.  People don't want to be around others who act like that," I replied.  I made it clear that we were not going to Garfield Park's boxing show, which took place yesterday, because of Jaylen's laziness and attitude problems.  Jaylen didn't come to the gym yesterday, and I suspect because of being ticked that he couldn't go to that show.  That was another signal to me that Jaylen fails to recognize who really is in control at LaFollette.

I'm seriously considering skipping the rest of the boxing shows that will take place this summer.  Jaylen lack of motivation, as well as Damaris' continued disinterest, irritates me constantly.  They are the only two who come to the youth class, and it's not worth me closing down the gym in light of their attitudes and spotty attendance.  I don't mind judging fights, but I'd rather not do that at every boxing show because I don't have people who want to compete.  I'd rather be working the corners.  Plus, public transportation to get anywhere was difficult when I was able-bodied.  Riding the trains and buses is even more of an issue now that I'm hobbling around with a cane.

There is no doubt there will be criticism from my supervisor and the boxing program coordinator if I decide to cancel participation in the summer shows.  The boxing program has been operating poorly for the past few years largely due to the lack of support from the area where the field house sits.  Each session, I'm confronted with more people who sign up for the program but would rather be elsewhere -- that's if they sign up at all or bother to show up once they've signed up.  I'll deal with the heat. 

A guy signed up his son for the teen class yesterday.  However, his younger son was with him, not the older son.  I'm always concerned when people don't have their kids front and center during the registration process.  I want to talk to the kids as well as the parents and guardians so everyone is on the same page regarding the program.  "Your son will be the only one in the class.  The other teen dropped out, and the rest of the teens in this area aren't interested in this sport," I told the dad which is the honest truth.  The dad was interested in his son learning self-defense since he'll be starting high school.  Once again, I wearily had to point out that boxing is not a self-defense class.

Then the dad assumed his younger son was automatically signed up for boxing because his son is currently in summer camp.  "First of all, the class for that age group is full.  Also, each program here has to be signed up for separately," I informed the parent.  I'm always boggled by what people think they should be entitled to instead of recognizing that rules probably prohibit what they want to happen. 

I'm not expecting that guy's son to last long in the class.  What usually happens with the teens is when they notice there aren't others in the gym to interact with they get bored and drop out.  That on top of most of the teens in general not wanting to put the effort into doing the workout also ends their time quickly in the gym. 

An Off Session In The Gym

It doesn't feel like summer.  There have been cooler than warm days, and it was raining again today.  Just as well, because things haven't been too hot down at the gym.

Jaylen didn't show up to the gym on Friday or yesterday. I know Jaylen was disappointed because of not being able to get a fight during the boxing show this past Thursday.  However, Jaylen's dad appeared to be more upset and not just because his son wasn't matched up.  Sahia told me he kept asking her who she was.  She explained that she was the volunteer and not the coach as Jaylen's dad assumed.  Jaylen's dad appeared not to be satisfied with her answers nor with anything else concerning what he saw at the boxing show.  "Something doesn't feel right to me here," Jaylen's dad told her as he patted his hand over his chest.  Sahia feared that Jaylen may not be allowed to return to the gym.

First of all, Jaylen's dad has seen me before, and we've had conversations.  He knows who I am.  If there wasn't clarity about the boxing program, Jaylen's dad should have come to me with further questions.  It could be another case of a parent or guardian thinking they know more about boxing than the people who are actually involved in it.  Maybe the parent has a problem with two women coaching in the gym.  I don't know.  But if Jaylen doesn't return, I can't do anything about that.

Aarav and Kareem (I hope I have the spelling right) are only able to be in the gym one day a week.  Kareem's dad, Chris, used to box out of Garfield Park.  He explained that due to his and Kareem's mother's work schedules, it's hard to get their son there other days of the week.  However, Aarav and his parents live closer to Seward Park.  This was pointed out to them when Aarav was registered for the class last summer.  "My wife likes you and the volunteer which is why she rather our son come here," Aarav's dad explained.  But their son has to train more days to be ready to participate in boxing shows. 

Javionte has missed days in the gym, and Damaris, in addition to being absent, too, is showing her usual lack of interest in training.  Adrian is having some issues, so he won't be in the teen class for a while, if at all.  No adults have bothered to sign up.  It's going to be a long ten-week session in the gym.

Not My Circus

Sahia told me she could see the frustration on my face.  David and his cousin Esteban already can't be in the gym for more than three days out of the week.  Also, David never stays for the full hour because he attends a competitive swimming class.  I allow those two to spar early in the week because of that.  However, I'm not happy about doing that.

David has said that his dad won't let him fight.  "Then why does he allow you to take a boxing class?" I asked.  "He wants me to work out," David answered.  Seeing how David gets a workout during swimming, it almost appears to be overkill to have him do a boxing workout, too. 

Based on the information I've received that his parents aren't on board with their son's participation in the sport, I'm doubtful that Esteban will participate in LaFollette's boxing show next month.  Now Esteban is saying that he's graduating from eighth grade in June, and being in the boxing show may not be a possibility.  I don't know of any middle-school graduations that have ever taken place in the evenings, so I don't get why there would be a conflict with appearing in the boxing show.

Then there is Adrian whose father used to be a professional boxer but is not supportive of his son being in the sport. Adrian's dad basically told Sahia that she is responsible for providing whatever Adrian needs to stay in boxing.  One of the things she has been doing is chauffeuring Adrian between boxing classes at LaFollette Park and Portage Park. 

I'm beyond tired of the participants' outside dramas encroaching on how the boxing program needs to run.  I'm especially irritated when participants don't tell me about things that impact plans that I have made in relation to the boxing program.  That has been happening too much as of late. They often tell Sahia things because she will ask if she suspects something is going on.  I'm always the last to know something and hearing the news secondhand.  But even if I was given the courtesy of being the first to know, there's nothing I can do.

First of all, it's not my concern.  I often have suspicions that things are going on, but as an employee,  I am very limited as to what I can do.  I'm also not one to pry.  If people choose to divulge something to me, fine, but I'm not going to go digging for it.  My main concern at work is seeing that the boxing program is run within the guidelines of the park district's expectations.  I've been confronted with a lot from participants' lives including medical, mental and emotional issues, run-ins with the police, homelessness, etc. 

Besides, I'm constantly contending with my own personal issues.   I do have some sympathy and empathy for others' situations at times.  But I didn't carry any of those kids for nine months. I'm always thinking that parents and guardians need to strive harder to correct home situations where their kids are concerned.

A NIce Idea

There was a woman registered for the boxing class who was interested in extra training for a charity match.  She only showed up at the gym once.  However, there are always people, even those who are members of private boxing gyms, who seek extra training time.  There is a way that the Chicago Park District could meet that need.

All of the boxing gyms in the park district could be operated as open gyms during the day.  Just like how the park district's fitness centers are run, customers could have the option of paying for a day pass, three months membership, six months of membership, or membership for a year.  The boxing gyms could be open as soon as the field houses are open in the mornings.  Customers could be issued a pass indicating their level of membership.  However, no instruction would be given during the open gym hours; a coach would just be there to keep an eye on the equipment, the participants, and the room.  One coach could run the open gym as well as the regular classes - four hours for open gym and three or four hours for the regular classes for a full-time coach. Or have one full-time coach during the day for six hours and a part-time coach for the regular classes for three or four hours.  Both amateur and professional boxers could use the facilities. 

The regular boxing classes for youths and adults would take place once the open gym hours were done.  Those in the classes would also have the option of practicing their skills during the open gym hours.  Perhaps those in the regular classes would not have to pay for the open gym hours.  But they would have to have some documentation showing they are registered in the regular classes.

This would generate more revenue for the park district.  But the main issue is park employees would have to be watchful due to the extra foot traffic coming into the field houses.  Park employees would also have to make sure they are on top of collecting the fees for the open gym time.  The park district would also have to hire full-time boxing coaches or promote some of the current part-time boxing coaches to full-time status.  It is because of the high probability that those things would not be taken care of that my plan hits a snag. 

Nice idea, however. 

Pulling A Bolander

It's bad enough when parents and guardians are pulling Bolanders (doing annoying, irritating, dumb, etc. things)  to upset the balance in the boxing program at the park district.  Boxing coaches are also frustrated by things that are done by management as well, especially coming from the field house supervisors.

The main issue that gets on coaches' nerves is when they find out that the field house supervisor is not supportive of their program.  Okay, everyone doesn't care for every sport.  However, regardless of my personal preferences, if I'm the one running the field house, I'm going to give equal time to every sports program that is there.  I remember sitting in a boxing coaches' meeting a few years ago where several of the coaches complained about not being able to get the resources they need.  One coach grumbled that every time they asked for anything, their supervisor just flat out turned down the request without much of an explanation.  According to that coach, the other sports programs at their field house had no problems getting what they needed. 

Another issue is the lack of promotion.  A monthly email newsletter is distributed by the park district that highlights various programs and activities.  The boxing program is not given much press, not even during the annual City-Wide Boxing Tournament nor during the weekly boxing shows that go on during the second half of the year.  Once again, depending on a supervisor's personal feelings, the program may not be advertised much at the field house.  The boxing coaches are part-timers, and most have other obligations when they aren't at the gym, so the time they have to promote the program is limited.

In a city as big as Chicago, the boxing program should exist in more than 23 field houses.  I understand that at one time in the past, it did.  I was told that Clarendon Park, whose boxing program was cut ten years ago, was the crown jewel of the program.  The park district is always talking about offering positive programs especially to keep youths off of the streets.  It would do well to shore up and build up the boxing program more. 

Field House Frustrations

I don't mind admitting that I've grown weary of the constant foolish actions that go on at La Follette.  The latest incident involves a female lifeguard who has developed a habit of roaming around in my office/equipment room.  The first time it happened, I was standing outside that room talking to the head lifeguard who is a very cool guy.  The female lifeguard walked past me into the room, then I heard her using a jump rope.  She didn't bother to ask me if that was okay to do that.

Yesterday, I stepped away for a couple of minutes to refill a water bottle.  I came back to find her exiting the room.  She gave me a silly grin and greeted me.  I gave her a cold hello back.  There's no swimming equipment in that room, so I'm wondering what's her fascination with being in that area.  Luckily, I don't lay my wallet and keys down in that room. 

I put some of the signs back up that I had to take down while the gym was being painted.  One of the signs was for the office/equipment room reminding everyone that the room is and should be locked when I'm not on the premises.  The sign also tells people that the boxing equipment is only to be used for that program.  If the female lifeguard doesn't get the hint from that, then I'm going to have to be more direct which she'll probably be offended by. 

A man who had been trying to catch up with me to sign up his 13-year-old daughter finally found me yesterday  But like I figured before they got there, the girl's interest in the sport wasn't that high.  She tried to negotiate only coming to the gym a few days a week because she wanted to do another activity that meets at the same time.  When I informed her that she could not participate in any boxing matches if she couldn't participate five days a week, she quickly decided to take swimming only.  The fact her dad was trying to convince her to re-consider the boxing class told me that her father was more interested in it than his daughter. 

The other day, I accidentally scratched one of my fingernails on a door.  I was shocked and irritated to see how easily the paint came up.  It was then I noticed other places on the walls and doors where the paint had been easily scratched off.  So my program was canceled for the rest of the recently ended winter session for a painting job that wasn't done correctly. 

Did I mention that I'm weary of dealing with these types of incidents?

A Matter Of Attitude

In addition to issues in the neighborhood that have a negative impact at LaFollette Park, there are attitudes that also present challenges to running the boxing program. 

The program is free for those between the ages of eight and seventeen (a few of the gyms will take youths as young as six years old). There are beginning and end dates for each session, but parents and guardians in the area tend to sign up their kids whenever.  Free doesn't mean the class has unlimited spots open.  In order to give proper attention to everyone, there can only be so many participants.  Yet most parents and guardians believe I should make room for youths who often don't show up until halfway through the session.  Youths who sign up later throw off the balance in the room especially when there's a groove that has already been established with those who were there from day one.

Many youths and some of the adults are in the class for the wrong reasons.  I need to talk to people, especially parents and guardians, before anyone registers for the program.  It says so online and on the class fliers.  Most parents and guardians ignore that rule, and it's easy for them to do since everyone can sign up online.  It also says on the fliers that boxing is not a self-defense class, but parents and guardians expect me to teach youths to handle bullying situations. I'm aware that schools have zero-tolerance policies for violence.  I keep wondering why most parents and guardians around LaFollette don't seem to know that or are willing to ignore those policies. 

I'm also curious as to why some parents and guardians don't feel an obligation to let me know if their youths have physical and/or mental conditions. If the staff doesn't have that information beforehand, an incident can turn tragic very quickly.  I've observed that some of the parents and guardians think their youths' health situations aren't that serious.  Some don't seem to have ever taken the time to analyze whether an activity will be appropriate for their youths in light of that.  They just want their kids in -- and I suspect information about health situations gets deliberately withheld.

I've long been tired of parents and guardians who think boxing is going toughen up kids who they believe need it.  I've never forgotten a dad who grumbled that his son's mom (whom the dad was no longer with) was raising their son "soft".  The kid didn't want to be in the class, but dad refused to accept that.  Another parent was angry when they learned their child had no interest in sports at all.  Boxing was the umpteenth sport that they had forced the kid into with no success.  "Ask them what they really want to do, then put them in activities that speak to that interest," I told the parent.  That should have been common sense.

There are the youths in the class whom the parents put in purely for babysitting purposes.  A lot of kids at the field house, regardless of what activity they are in, are not there because their parents care about them having positive experiences.  Parents and guardians who operate on that level do not support the program nor encourage their kids to be more active participants. 

Parents and guardians don't pay attention to what time the class begins.  Time management doesn't exist, and personal responsibility doesn't seem to be taught much.  But I'm expected to work miracles with youths who are twenty or thirty (or more) minutes late to class every day.  I can't enter participants who don't train properly into the City-Wide Boxing Tournament, the Chicago Golden Gloves, nor the park district boxing shows. 

There are youths who have numerous discipline problems, but when I point that out to some parents and guardians, I get no response as to what they are going to do to put a stop to the behavior.  Even more troubling are the ones who tell me, "I can't do anything with her (or him)."  Why do they think that I should keep putting up with it?  Trust me, I won 't.

As for the adults who take boxing, time management is often an issue with them, too.  People forget about the other obligations they have like changing work shifts, dealing with their kids, going to college at night, etc.  Some adults confuse the park district boxing program with the professional boxing classes that are run out of private gyms.  Due to the issues in the neighborhood, many don't sign up because they don't want to be around when the bullets start flying across the park -- and I can't blame them. 

A Problem Of Location

Tomorrow will be a month since the boxing gym at LaFollette Park has been closed for maintenance.  Next week is the last week of the winter session.  I wanted to laugh when the field house supervisor talked to me about recruiting participants for the spring session.  Neither the supervisor or I have been given any information regarding if the boxing gym will be operational in time for the next session to begin.

The numerous construction and maintenance issues that have taken place since late last summer are only a small part of why the boxing program is not very successful.  I have to admit that the Austin neighborhood where the field house sits is a major factor.  I was born and raised on the west side, and Austin was the last neighborhood I lived on that side of the city.  It hasn't changed much.  Residents still range from low-income to lower middle-class.  Crime is still high, although when I was a kid, people preferred to use their hands more than guns.  My mother, two younger siblings and I didn't know how lucky we were to live just a couple of blocks away from a major grocery store back then.  Food deserts, where there is a lack of easy access to big grocery stores, is common on the west side (and the south side, too).  Yet liquor stores and taverns are often just a few steps from each other.

When I go around to the other gyms for boxing shows and I see how well some of those boxing programs are populated, I've wondered why LaFollette's program keeps limps along.  Some gyms that are in the multi-racial neighborhoods do quite nicely, as well as those in gentrifying areas.  Places like Loyola Park, for example, benefit from having upper-middle-class people looking for a different exercise routine.  That gym also pulls participants from Loyola University as well as Northwestern University in nearby Evanston. 

There have been a few parents who appreciated that the youth boxing classes at LaFollette do not run late into the evening. Unfortunately, there have been gun incidents that took place while the other youth sports were still having practices out on the field.  I know of parents who pulled their kids off of those teams after shooting incidents took place.  I have also noticed some kids stopped showing up to the field house after the bullets start flying.  I know some adults are hesitant to take the evening boxing class because they would rather not be caught in cross-fire. 

I know there are other field houses with boxing programs who experience their share of challenges, too.  But LaFollette seems to have more than most, and I have no solutions as to how to fix a neighborhood culture that appears to have not improved since the early 1970s.  . 

Another Boxing Gym Shutdown

As soon as I walked into the field house yesterday, I was informed by Coach James that I had to remove all of the signs and posters in the boxing gym.  "The painters are coming in tomorrow," he said.  Steve, the supervisor, passed through the hallway as I found this out.  "I've been in supervisor training all day, and this is the first time I'm hearing about this," Steve said. 

The gym floor has to be re-done, too.  The painters, regardless if they are on the park district's payroll or are outside contractors, have a habit of dragging the work out.  "That's going to take at least two months!  What am I coming down here for when I won't have anything to do?" I snapped.  "Hillari, I know you have to come from far away to get here.  But at least you're getting paid," Steve said.  And so what?  Twiddling my thumbs for several hours doesn't cut ice with me.  Unlike too many park district employees across the city, I'm not constantly searching for ways to sit on my backside and do as little as possible.

I made an announcement in the first class that the participants might as well consider the winter session to be done.  I suggested to Crystal, Armani, and Leslie's mom that she try to sign them up at Simons Park which is the next closest field house that has a boxing program.  Julio had said some time ago that Henry and David sometimes go to Simons, so they have somewhere to go.  I called Leonna, the one adult in the class, and suggested that she try to get a refund since the shutdown of the class is the park district's fault, not hers.  I didn't bother to contact the two teens in the program since they apparently decided not to go to class a long time ago.

This is the umpteenth time in six months that the gym has been shut down due to maintenance and construction issues.  Constant shutdowns and delays in opening the sessions on time DO NOT contribute to getting sign ups nor raising attendance.  Neither do the other ongoing issues such as lack of interest in the sport and numerous shooting and assaults in the park, for example, contribute to having a successful boxing program.  I'm up against too much to make the program work, and I am out of ideas.

Recess Vs. Exercise

A couple of new kids in the class, Cristal and Leslie (their brother, Armani, was not in attendance), weren't doing the floor exercises they should have been during the end of the class yesterday.  The girls didn't make much of an attempt to figure out what to do nor to ask Sahia or myself, so I was vexed.  I barely held back being irritated when I asked them what do they do in their physical education class at school.  "We just play," Cristal said. 

That's not a gym class, it's recess.  Over the past several months, I've had to deal with youths, particularly those in grade school, who are not being taught basic exercises nor other sports for that matter during the school day.  Some don't have physical education classes at school at all.  One of the main reason many of the youths don't stay in boxing is that it requires a lot of exercise in order to keep up.  The fact that physical education in grade school and some high schools as well does not appear to be a priority anymore makes it difficult for me to run an effective boxing program.

I wonder why it appears that most parents and guardians don't demand that physical education classes not be watered down or eliminated for their kids.  Some of those same parents complain to me their kids are playing too many video games and watching too much TV.  Yet it seldom occurs to them that limiting the youths' time with video games and TV, in addition to making them move around more, would go a long way in improving the youths' physical health.  Doing housework is a form of exercise, but from what I hear and observe, youths don't do much of that at home these days.

Cristal, Leslie, Armani, David, and Henry are the only ones showing up to the youth class right now.  Of those five, the most serious about doing well in boxing is Henry.  The teens are long gone, and the one adult who takes the class hasn't been in since right before Chicago experienced a couple of dangerously cold days last week.  I wasn't in for a few days last week myself.  I took a fall on the street right before the weather changed. 

Plus, my car is gone.  It had become too expensive to keep up on the salary I receive.  The last straw was a hit-and-run accident I experienced on my way to work.  I sold the car for parts.  Sahia commented yesterday that I looked tired.  "Maybe that's because it now takes me three trains and a bus to get here," I dryly replied.  A co-worker asked if I was using Uber to get to work.  Well, if I had money for that, I would probably also have money to buy another car. 

"Are you going to move closer to here?" was the co-worker's next question.  I don't have money to just pick and move, either, or else I would have been living somewhere less expensive by now.  But the west side is not an option.  "I grew up over here, and that was enough.  When I left years ago, I didn't look back," I told the co-worker.  Unlike too many in the 'hood, I recognized it was a good idea to expand my thought processes beyond the 12-to-14 block area I used to reside in not far from LaFollette Park.  I'm not going to regress.  My attitude with kids who come to the gym and don't want to work, or who don't come to the gym at all is colder than the temperatures outside were last week.  My patience with parents and guardians who expect miracles but don't want to work with me nor the program to help their youths be successful has evaporated.  Major changes need to be made, but the culture of the neighborhood is not going to lend itself to making changes. 

Absences At The Beginning

Xavier was a no-show at the gym yesterday.  I also found out that there's a problem with the phone at the front desk counter which partially explains why I haven't been getting messages from parents and guardians.  Maybe Xavier's mom tried to phone me and couldn't get through.  Maybe no call was made at all.  I don't know.  But it's a concern when people start coming up missing right at the beginning of a new session.  The other two new kids who signed up haven't shown yet. 

A look through my old attendance rosters revealed that Damaris has been in the boxing program for a year.  Sahia had to keep reminding her to get into her correct stance and as well as having to show her (for the umpteenth time) how to do push-ups correctly.  I had to remind her to do the other floor exercises and stretches.  Sahia chalked up Damaris' forgetfulness to the month-long break in-between the fall and winter session.  However, I can't buy that excuse based on how long Damaris has been in the class.  The look on Damaris' face usually says that she is not enthusiastic about being in the program. If Sahia or I don't constantly stand over her, Damaris will not push herself to train.  I'm glad Sahia has more patience with her because my patience ran out some time ago. 

Henry and David returned, and it was obvious they had been working out during the break.  David especially showed some great improvements. 

No teenagers showed up for class again.  It's extremely rare for me to make courtesy calls anymore.  "They will be in class," is a lie I've tired of hearing.

The best class this session appears to be the adult class where Leonna is the only student.  We don't follow the exact schedule on the bulletin board.  She's not planning to compete, so I try to tailor the workout to go along with her fitness goals.  If had more adults in the class like Leonna that would help soften the blow of the issues already apparent in the first two classes of the day. 

The Same For The New Year

Last weekend, the weekends-only boxing class I run expanded a little when more people showed up.  It was a good sign that word may be getting out more about it. 

Can't say the same for the park district boxing class.  New Year's resolutions probably helped bring a few more into the weekend boxing class, but that has never had an effect on the park district class.  The number of participants is low as usual.  So far, everyone is new, with the exception of Damaris who decided to come back again.  I let Sahia deal with her for the whole hour as my patience with Damaris' apparent lack of motivation faded a few sessions ago.

Another issue I'm tired of is the blank looks I get from kids when I tell them to do floor exercises near the end of class.  "Do what you would do in gym class at school -- crunches, leg raises, squats, push-ups, etc.," I announce.  Quickly, I learn that most of the kids have no clue about what I'm talking about.  I know that physical education is still a required class in high schools.  However, it appears that few grade schools have that requirement anymore.  Of those that do, it appears that not much is being taught.

For example, Xavier could not do simple null nor leg raises.  I was shaking my head.  After I showed him how to do them, I asked him, "Do they teach these exercises in school anymore?"  His mom was in the gym, and I appreciated that she stayed on him about being focused.  Earlier on in the hour, Xavier kept taking rests during the rounds, especially when he had to do laps around the gym. 

A few parents told me that they tried to contact me at the field house, but either no one picked up the phone, or they received some erroneous information about the program.  I've brought that issue up to staff too many times during the past few years.  From here on in, I'm telling parents and guardians to take their complaints about that directly to the field house supervisor.  Maybe attention will be paid to the customers. 

The few teens who signed up didn't appear.  I no longer call people's homes to find out why.  In my opinion, there's no excuse for people not remembering they registered for the class.  Most of the time, especially where teenagers are concerned, the parents and guardians have signed them up without bothering to ask if the teens want to go to the gym.  I'm not making that my problem anymore.  I just replace them with the next persons who want to register and keep it moving.

The one adult who signed up showed up early in the middle of the teen class.  We had a good class, but I have a sinking feeling they may be the only one taking that class for this whole winter session.

The Issue of Having a Raggedy Gym

My supervisor recently told me that the company installing new windows at LaFollette Park had the time to complete their work extended to the end of the year.  The original date of completion should have been the first of November. 

The gym looks like a bomb went off inside.  Not only have I continued to find the main door to the gym standing open every day, but the supply room has been left open a few times, too.  Some equipment is missing, most notably one of the jump ropes, and all of the green hand wraps except for one.  The installation company keeps tampering with the equipment and moving it around unnecessarily.  Of course, with the door being open all day, there's the constant problem of kids and adults playing around on the equipment. The floor is badly scraped up, plaster keeps falling from the ceiling, and the walls have huge patches where the paint has worn away.  The women's washroom is not in use at the moment.  Several cans, usually full of debris, sit outside of the men's washroom. 

The installation company never cleans up afterward.  On top of that, the attendants at the field house don't always get around to cleaning the gym.  Yesterday, Walz asked me if a group of teen girls could possibly use a corner of the gym to practice their dance routine.  "Yeah, that is if they don't mind all the dirt and dust floating around in here," I replied. 

Now that November has arrived again, the gym is mostly empty.  Lael has gone back to only putting in two to three days a week.  Even Henry and David have been missing days for one reason or another.  Two new kids in the program -- George and DeMarius -- have already established that they can't train every day.  George plays football.  DeMarius lives far out in the suburbs and can't always make it in.  Sahia, the volunteer, is still out due to situations that she needs to handle.  Once the holiday season starts, most people disappear anyway, but the installation going on has hastened the exit of most.

The supervisor also told me the gym will have to be painted again.  The window installers should do that since the damage in the gym was caused by them.  But they got off the hook for that so the park district painters will be doing the job.  The work order won't go in until early next year,  and exactly when the work will happen is a mystery.  I remember the last time the gym was painted, the job took two months to finish.  All that time the gym was shut down.  I expect the same thing will happen next year. 

Situations just keep going from bad to worse at the gym.  I can't wait for this fall session to end.