By NFF Correspondent Bo Carter
2002 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Green of Wittenberg University (Ohio) has lived a Jimmy Stewart-like “wonderful life.”
From a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball at Milton-Union High School in Dayton, Ohio, to a professional football career with the Boston (now New England) Patriots and Oakland Raiders, Green stood out as shining star in the world of athletics. His lifetime of success continued as an executive in the insurance business and in service to our nation as a member of the U.S. National Guard.
Having just celebrated his 65th birthday March 14, Green is not close to retirement, and he is not one to be found at autograph sessions or celebrity football reunions. Instead, he is adding a new chapter to his storybook life by giving back and counseling youngsters in the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in Arizona.
Launched in 1993 and sponsored by the National Guard and Department of Defense, the ChalleNGe Program, a preventive rather than remedial at-risk youth program, targets participants who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age. Since its inception the program has helped 80,000-plus high school dropouts return to school and graduate. The 22-week Residential Phase, which includes the Pre-ChalleNGe Phase, is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth's community.
“This program is 15 years old,” said Green, who works as a ChalleNGe Program public relations spokesman in Phoenix, Ariz. “But it remains one of the best-kept secrets in our society. It does so much good for so many people in need of guidance, and it’s a pleasure to be working with Project ChalleNGe in Arizona.”
Green’s duties include everything from locating dropouts with potential for success to addressing civic clubs, school and parent/teacher groups, and businesses with an eye toward employee and person-power assistance.
“I initially came out here to be close to my kids and grandkids, and this opportunity presented itself,” said Green, who is working with his fourth class of students in the ChalleNGe Program. “We visit everywhere from schools to probation departments to civic clubs to potential employers. Project ChalleNGe helps youngsters reclaim their lives and to get that GED and enter the job market, military or college. It gives them some positive life choices.”
Green has seen numerous success stories from single mothers who became corporate executives to medal-winning military officers and others who graduated college with honors, and he’s grateful for the chance to serve.
“It’s a rewarding job,” he said. “You give young adults (male and female) ages 16-19 a second chance, and many of them succeed and have the opportunity to turn around their lives.”
It is easy to see how Charlie Green has become a successful youth mentor. He has been a devoted husband to his wife Susan for 43 years and a happy grandfather to five grandchildren. His twin daughters Kendra and Kasey reside with their husbands and families in the Phoenix area.
His son Tyler Green, a No. 1 draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies from Wichita State, played six years in the majors. Currently, Tyler broadcasts a weekend Phillies show; works as a special pitching instructor for the Phillies; and teaches as a high school pitching coach and at a fantasy camp.
It has been and continues to be a wonderful life for Charlie Green, and he keeps helping others to live their dreams through Arizona ChalleNGe Program.
For further information or volunteer activities, please call www.NGycp.org or contact Charlie Green at:
Work: 800-296-8110, ext. 256
Mobile: 480-216-4091
Email: chgreen43@yahoo.com
-- NFF --
