The nonprofit organization 22 Hands-Up distributed baseball gloves during the Wilbert Ellis baseball camp held on July 27 at Fraser Field. The camp was a resounding success, drawing around 200 attendees and providing nearly 100 children with free instruction from renowned athletes.
Darrell Hampton, executive director and founder of 22 Hands-Up, expressed his joy in participating at the camp and distributing the gloves. “Those kids bring the kid out of me,” he said. “They’ll never forget that; they’ll never forget that glove. And that’s what it’s about for me — it’s all about these children.” He added, “We’re going to keep going on with these kids, even if we’re just making up some hamburgers, feeding them, and sitting down and listening to them.”
22 Hands-Up, dedicated to assisting youth, aims to foster prosocial behavior and strong interpersonal skills, promoting a hopeful future. The organization offers education, employment, and empowerment opportunities under one roof. It plans to host a financial literacy course in the near future, further expanding its reach and support for the community.
The organization provides mentoring programs for middle and high school students, partnering with local schools and the juvenile court system. The goal is to equip young people with essential social and emotional skills, such as empathy, resilience, self-discipline, and confidence, in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
22 Hands-Up was established in response to the growing number of young people struggling in school or entangled with the juvenile court system. By identifying and supporting these youths, the program aims to guide them toward adulthood with pride and a sense of accomplishment.
