The Footbag Mentors Project is an, after-school, peer educational and
recreational group inaugurated during the winter of 1995-96 to serve
at-risk, Western Massachusetts teenagers. The FMP employs the popular sport
of footbag (widely known by the commercial trade name "Hacky Sack") as a
central focus and teaching tool to engage, motivate and train marginalized
youth and others as athletes, footbag sewers and peer leaders in our
community. The Footbag Mentors Project was funded (1996-97) by a grant from
the Massachusetts Teen Challenge Fund (DPH), the Community Coalition for
Teens (CCT) and by the Traprock Peace Center.
The entry point and focus of the FMP is learning to sew footbags as well as practicing the finer points of this highly athletic kicking sport. The young mentors learn to design, cut and hand sew leather and synthetic footbags. Students also learn to play footbag, the basic kicks, tricks, form and technique as well as the fun and value of working together as a group and holding the energy of common purpose (the"hack") within the circle.
The Mentors Project also serves a health education and peer support
function with strong emphasis on group process and communication. We meet
twice weekly starting with a (student facilitated) meeting, a "check-in",
sharing of news, discussion, group issues and decisions. Afterwards, we
hold a serious, hour-long, kicking workout. We close with a sewing clinic
giving everyone the chance to get creative with the ultrasuede, facile or
deerskin leather. We also have regular seminars, discussions and videos on
important teen health 
issues such as smoking, substance abuse, disease
prevention as well as healthy relationships and violence prevention. The
group has been a safe and confidential place where adolescents talk,
share feelings and get important feedback and connection.
When the teens begin to master their sewing skills, they are then asked to teach footbag making to others (peers, teachers, adults, etc.) as part of an ongoing, outreach campaign. Over the last two years, approximately 35 local youths have been trained as Footbag Mentors, some becoming effective peer teachers and role models of non-violence, as well as great sewers and kickers. To recognize the value of this important work to our community, Footbag Mentors receive a monetary stipend for their teaching efforts. The FPI is currently seeking new sponsorship to fund its continuation into 1998 and beyond.
*FMP article, Footbag World, 1996
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