"When I was young I always wanted someone to come to my camp- so I'm very happy to be here."
That's
49er receiver and their #1 draft pick, Michael Crabtree speaking.
Crabtree is tossing a football to another 49er in the middle of Martin
Luther King Park in Sausalito, not his usual playing field.
Crabtree and several dozen of his rookie teammates made the trek
over to Marin on Wednesday, to show their support for a group of wide-eyed Marin City
kids who were clearly thrilled to see the players in their
neighborhood. It was all part of a push to draw attention to a brand
new community program that has just been launched in Marin City; The Phoenix Project of Marin.
The
players divide up into smaller groups and go through some drills with
the kids; running, catching and calisthenics. There is a lot of
yelling, laughter and encouragement.
Encouragement is a big part of why the players are here.
A recent spate of violent crime has put Marin City in the headlines and community leaders there were concerned. Those concerns propelled local community activist, 
Felecia Gaston of Performing Stars of Marin, to team up with the Marin Housing Authority (MHA) to create Phoenix Project, an effort to provide crime prevention outreach, counseling, employment and educational programs. Dan Nackerman, the Executive Director of the MHA spoke to us while keeping one eye on the action on the field-
"We've already connected some of the Project Phoenix kids to jobs for
the summer," said Nackerman, "So we're trying to change the trajectory
of some of these lives that are headed in the wrong direction."
The MHA and Felecia's group partnered with several other organizations including the Probation, Public Defender and Sheriff's Departments from the County as well as private groups like Project IMPACT and North Bay Conservation Corps.
On the field, it's a real contrast to see the small kids gazing up to some of the biggest guys in the country. Ryan Myers, the 49ers Youth Football Representative calls everyone over- players and kids- into a group huddle. Pep talks are as important as the drills, and Myers is lecturing the kids on the importance of staying in school, respect and being a good citizen.
"Our players would not be on the 49ers team if they did not put school first- isn't that right guys?" Myers shouts.
"Yes!" the players shout back.
The players troop over to a line of chairs and take a seat as the kids line up to get autographs. Each child has been given a white T-Shirt with SF- Play 60 emblazoned on the front. Play 60 is an NFL program to encourage kids to get outside and play, or be active, for 60 minutes a day. The players begin to autograph each kid's shirt, and they take the time to speak personally to each child as he or she approaches.
One of those kids, 12 year-old DaJon Bynum, has just reached the end of the line and he proudly holds up a football completely covered with autographs. DaJon, who plays both football and basketball, was pretty happy he came by-
"Well, I was excited," he says while examining the autographs,"It was a good opportunity to meet the rookies."
Felecia watches the players sign the shirts. She is thrilled at the turnout and for the encouragement the players have given the kids.
"It's so important," she says, "so we can help change the negative aspect of these things happening in our community."
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The Phoenix Project of Marin is in the process of rolling out it's programs. Eventually there will be dedicated space for at-risk Marin City youth to visit, so they can get information, support and guidance.
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