Although he competed against the best football talent in the world as he became a five-time Super Bowl champion, NFL legend Charles Haley says his biggest challenge was getting his college degree.
Haley entered college reading two grade levels behind and struggled to catch up. Now as a retired Hall of Fame player, he is dedicating his life to building a team and working collaboratively to ensure that students at seven Dallas ISD schools don’t fall so far behind.
“We need everyone to understand that the biggest social justice movement is to educate kids,” Haley said. “If you educate kids, no one can take that away from them.”
Haley and Bob Bowie, who has served on various community organizations in Dallas for many years, co-founded the nonprofit Tackle Tomorrow. The nonprofit adopted and works closely with seven Dallas ISD schools: Whitney M. Young, Robert L. Thornton, Clinton P. Russell, Frederick Douglass, Urban Park, and H.I. Holland at Lisbon elementary schools, and Paul Dunbar Learning Center.
“Charles has worked tirelessly to provide resources to our students and families of these schools,” Chief of Strategic Initiatives Brian Lusk said. “His efforts are making a very positive impact on our families.”
Tackle Tomorrow collaborates with the schools to address their specific needs, from bringing in advanced education software such as iStation Reading and a coach to facilitate, to reenergizing the playground and providing new bicycles as a reading incentive.
The nonprofit also offers GED and ESL classes for parents.
“My belief is that we can empower the community if we get parents to come into our schools,” Haley said. “And if a student sees that their parent is getting their education through a GED or ESL class, that can make a big difference.”
Walk around Paul L. Dunbar Learning Center for five minutes and it’s impossible to miss the impact Tackle Tomorrow makes on the campus. A raised garden bed, two new computer labs and a new camera system are all thanks to Tackle Tomorrow.
Over the past four years, Dunbar Principal Alpher Garrett-Jones said, Haley and Tackle Tomorrow have always been just a phone call away and have fulfilled every request. Garrett-Jones said the nonprofit has donated gift cards for families to buy supplies for their kids, chartered buses and a meal for a fifth-grade awards program, and met with the PTA to get more parents involved with the school.
“To have a partner who has been so committed over many years is a game changer,” Garrett-Jones said. “They have always kept their word and been here to help, however needed.”
Filling a need
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and dozens of volunteers and Tackle Tomorrow board members are working together to organize and ship off 2,000 Thanksgiving meals for families at the schools they serve.
Tackle Tomorrow organizes this annual turkey donation every Thanksgiving and Christmas so families can have a great holiday meal, regardless of their income level.
Haley and the Tackle Tomorrow team are in the middle of the action, directing volunteers on which vans to load with supplies before they drive off to the different schools.
And for Haley, being part of a bigger team that’s making a positive impact is exactly where he wants to be.
“I have incredible co-workers. I have my mentor, Bob Bowie, and a board of 15 people who are committed to Tackle Tomorrow,” Haley said. “I’ve never done anything by myself. It’s only through our work together that we can change lives and show these kids that they can be whoever they want to be.”
