NEWS
November Update
Seasons Are Changing
Two Competitions Down, Two to Go!
November 1st marked our second competition night for the Evergreen Elementary League. It featured mat wrestling only and was filled with exciting action.
The competition was done in Dual Meet style and featured the following match-ups:
Evergreen Elementary / Katherine Smith Elementary (Pictured together)
O.B. Whaley Elementary (Navy shirts) / Holly Oak Elementary (Yellow shirts)
There are two competitions left in the season. This Friday, 11/8, will feature full matches in Dual Meet style. Next Friday, 11/15, we will hold our capstone event at Leyva Middle School. The capstone, League Championship, will be a tournament style event on three mats. Please consider joining us, action starts at 3:00pm. If you are unable to make it, be sure to follow our social media for updates.
Message from the desk of the Executive Director
Hello Friends and Supporters,
As we wrap up our Fall Programming season at The Evergreen Elementary Schools, we're excited to set our sights on the seasons ahead!
The first is the season of giving—a time that holds special importance for an organization like Beat The Streets Bay Area. Your generous support empowers the young people we work with, making a profound difference in their lives. This season, we invite you to give in a way that feels meaningful to you. Whether through coaching, volunteering, spreading our message, or offering financial support, every contribution directly impacts the youth we serve in the Bay Area.
The second season is our upcoming Winter Programming in Oakland. We’re thrilled to be launching our pilot community center program in partnership with The Oakland Housing Authority. This program, based at The Campbell Village Community Center, will allow us to connect with more youth right in their neighborhood. This exciting step brings us closer to fulfilling our mission of empowering youth through the sport of wrestling.
To make these initiatives a success, we need your continued support. Here’s how you can help:
Visit our website to learn more about our programs and upcoming initiatives.
Follow us on social media to stay updated and share our story with your networks.
Reach out directly by emailing me at jlange@btsba.org – I’d love to connect and discuss how you can get involved!
Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for helping us build brighter futures for students in Beat The Streets Bay Area programs.
With heartfelt gratitude,
John
2024 South Bay Program Begins
Coach Sergio Hernandez teaching students of Evergreen Elementary District
Building Champions On and Off the Mat: Beat The Streets Bay Area Partners with Evergreen Elementary Schools
At Beat The Streets Bay Area, we believe that the lessons learned on the wrestling mat can transform lives. That’s why we’re excited to announce our partnership with the Evergreen Elementary School District to launch a wrestling program for over 100 4th through 6th-grade students across four schools: OB Whaley, Evergreen, Katherine Smith, and Holly Oak Elementary Schools.
This partnership is more than just introducing students to the sport of wrestling. It’s about helping them develop essential life skills—discipline, resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence—that will carry them far beyond the mat and into their futures.
The Impact of Wrestling
Wrestling has the unique ability to teach young people how to push through challenges and persevere. It’s a sport that requires hard work, grit, and determination—qualities that translate into every area of life. At Beat The Streets Bay Area, our mission is to empower youth by providing them with the tools to succeed both in school and in life. Through this new program, we’re seeing that mission come to life in Evergreen’s 4th through 6th-grade students.
From the first day, students have been engaged, learning the basics of wrestling and, more importantly, the values that the sport instills. They are discovering that with the right mindset and effort, they can overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and become leaders among their peers.
A Collaborative Effort
We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with the Evergreen Elementary School District, whose commitment to student growth and well-being perfectly aligns with our own. Together, we’re creating an environment where all students, regardless of their experience or background, can thrive. The district’s dedication to supporting students both academically and emotionally makes this the ideal partnership.
What Students Are Learning
Through this wrestling program, students are gaining more than just physical skills. They are learning:
Perseverance: Wrestling teaches them to keep going, even when the odds are tough.
Confidence: Each match builds their belief in themselves, helping them realize they are capable of much more than they thought.
Leadership: Wrestling fosters responsibility, helping students become role models for their peers.
Teamwork: Even in an individual sport, success comes from working together, supporting teammates, and celebrating wins as a group.
These skills are crucial for helping students succeed not only in the classroom but also in navigating life’s many challenges. As they grow through this program, we are confident they will continue to excel both as students and as young leaders.
Looking Ahead
The future is bright for the students participating in this program, and we can’t wait to see how they continue to develop both on and off the mat. This partnership with Evergreen Elementary is just the beginning. Together, we are shaping the next generation of champions—young people who have the strength, resilience, and confidence to face any challenge.
At Beat The Streets Bay Area, our goal is to ensure every student we work with has the opportunity to succeed, and we’re thrilled to be making that possible in Evergreen’s schools.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey, and join us in celebrating the growth of these remarkable young wrestlers!