Editor’s Note: This version corrects a previous error that identified Jim Jackson as being deceased.
For years, what is now known as the Juveniles in Motion Summer Sports program has been a positive nesting pot for the youth within the Pine Bluff community. The program was lost due to financial reasons back in 2008, but countless efforts to restore it were made by directors Betty Hayes Anthony, Cedric Jackson, Aisha Madison and Cheryl Kates. J.I.M. was re-formed in 2013, and they picked the summer sports program right back up from where it left off.
J.I.M. is an acronym attributed to Cedric Jackson’s father, Jim Jackson. The program, held at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, means a lot to all of the directors, and now that it’s back they hope to keep making positive impacts on the kids of Pine Bluff.
The program’s purpose is giving kids in the community a safe, educational, athletic and learning environment throughout the summer.
“We want to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our children in the city,” Cedric Jackson said. “It gives the kids an opportunity to be placed in a college atmosphere. We plan to help lead these children into their future goals, whether it be in education or in athletics.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Although it’s tailored to sports and activities, education plays a big part in the program as well. Each day the students have something to look forward to, whether it be diving in for a swim or listening to a local fireman tell stories. As far as nutrition, Cheryl Kates prepares healthy meals for the kids throughout the summer.
“We actually do a wide range of things,” Cedric Jackson said. “We started off with the Monte Coleman football camp, and we followed up with the George Ivory basketball camp. We’re also tying in other summer sports, such as swimming, basketball, tennis and enrichment activities.”
The enrichment activities include a number of different speakers. The goal is to teach the kids lessons about different aspects of life. Two that the kids enjoy the most are the speakers from the Pine Bluff Police Department and the Pine Bluff Fire Department, the directors say.
For older kids in the 9th-12th grade, ACT prep classes are administered. Betty Anthony Hayes is the sports activity director as well as the ACT prep director; she takes pride in getting the kids ready for one of the biggest tests of their lives. Hayes has been apart of the program for more than 30 years.
Originally, the ACT prep collaboration was built between George Hurst and Betty Hayes. They incorporated the ACT prep program through UAPB, and roughly 80 students who participated were successful in testing. Also for the 9th-12th graders, internship opportunities are offered.
J.I.M. Summer Sports is also beneficial for the UAPB student athletes who are on campus during this time period. A number of UAPB students work within the camp, whether it be for work study or internship. It gives the UAPB students an opportunity to see if working with youth is something that they’re comfortable with, and if they can see themselves making a career out of it.
The last day of this year’s program on the UAPB campus is set for July 14, but there will be a continuation of the program at Dollarway High School from July 17-Aug. 11.
Cedric Jackson couldn’t express enough how important this program is for the kids within the city of Pine Bluff.
“The kids are all excited about it every day,” Jackson said. “Considering that the enrollment is consistent and students are not missing out shows a lot. Some kids have chose to come here instead of going on their family summer trips. Alot of kids that attend summer sports go to different schools so that gives them a chance to compete against each other. It gives the kids something to look forward to in the summer as school is out, and it keeps them out of trouble. It’s beneficial to every body not only just the children.”