The Espiritu NFL YET Academy was founded in 1990 in response to escalating neighborhood violence and a growing prevalence of drugs in South Phoenix. A group of community leaders gathered to find a solution, believing that education was the only way to improve life and the community, a charter school was born to fight against deterioration of the neighborhood. The Academy’s entire educational approach solidifies around the concept that all people have an innate love of learning, and the key was to help others discover this gift in each child, nurture it and develop it, steeped in the belief that communities have the leadership necessary to increase their economic wealth. Developing and sustaining leaders in the local community using a faith-based approach to grow leaders who would one day lead by building spirit in family and community. A shining example of the NFL YET initiative, the Espiritu NFL YET Academy Charter School received an initial grant during 1996’s Super Bowl XXX, which established the only NFL YET facility that is a charter school. 2008’s Super Bowl XLII Legacy Grant will fund extension of the Academy beyond the gates in South Phoenix, into communities across Arizona. <view their site>