Rising Stars Youth Foundation receives dozens of applicants for its intern position each year. According to Paul Savramis, many of these young men and women looking to volunteer or their time are highly qualified. However, one applicant, Izzy DeFrancesco, really stood out.

Q: Who is Izzy DeFrancesco?

Paul Savramis: Izzy is a student at the University of Delaware College. She is pursuing a bachelors of arts, and her majors are in Women’s Studies and Communications. On paper, DeFrancesco has an impeccable set of credentials, including being a Dean’s List scholar with a 4.0 GPA. While these accolades caught everyone’s attention, it was this young woman’s personality that really stood out.

Q: What makes DeFrancesco such a strong candidate and good intern?

Paul Savramis: Her vibrance and energy. She has a zest for life, and she is not afraid to attack problems with a smile. One thing that truly stands out is her creativity and ability to breathe new life into everything we’ve thrown at her.

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Paul Savramis has been teaching children on and off the court for more than three decades. During that time, he’s picked up quite a few pointers on how, exactly, to encourage today’s youth to be more and do more for themselves and their communities. Here, the founder of Rising Stars Youth Foundation shares insights.

Q: What makes a student-athlete a Rising Star?

Paul Savramis: A Rising Star is someone who wants to be better for himself, his family, and his community. These are healthy and confident children who work hard every day to improve from the inside out. Our Rising Stars are those who put in the hard work both on and off the court and maintain a positive attitude.

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Paul Savramis says that the Rising Stars Youth Foundation has brought him much joy over the years. But there are a few things that bring the non-profit’s founder greater satisfaction than seeing where the lives of the student athletes lead them. 

According to Paul Savramis, Rising Stars Youth Foundation has given birth to a few of the sport’s most notable citizens. Jay Williams, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, is one of these. Williams currently serves as Rising Stars Youth Foundation’s goodwill ambassador. The five-star athlete and his family are huge supporters of youth sports, both in New York and across the country.

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COVID-19 has cost the world so much, says Paul Savramis. And, despite waning numbers in many areas, it continues to take a toll. And few people are paying more than the students and athletes of the Rising Stars Youth Foundation Family. 

According to Paul Savramis, while the coronavirus was making waves in China, it popped up on his radar. He knew based on data available as far back as February that, should the virus make it to the US, it would change the way his organization operated. Basketball is, after all, a contact sport, and contact is the one thing that has to be avoided to slow the spread.

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According to Paul Savramis, the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way his organization, Rising Stars Youth Foundation, works. Typically, the basketball outreach program hosts classes and events after school, on the weekends, and during the spring and summer breaks. However, social distancing and shelter-in-place orders have put an abrupt and unfortunate stop to this. Read on as Savramis opens up about a few things that are going to look different for Rising Stars for 2020.

Q: Rising Stars is known for its annual gala. Will this go on?

Paul Savramis: Sadly, for the first time in nearly 20 years, we have had to cancel our fundraising gala. This event is made possible by generous support from our community, and it is one of the primary ways that we spread awareness of the needs of our 200+ families. The gala, which was originally slated for May 19, would’ve brought together business and community leaders as well as some of the faces of Rising Stars Youth Foundation.

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Paul Savramis says his heart is broken for the many student athletes that Rising Stars Youth Foundation serves. But, in this time of darkness, he says that his team and RSYF families have stepped up to shine a light in the worst of times. Keep reading as Savramis touches on a few key points of the way the organization has adjusted to the wildfire we call Covid-19.

Q: How is Rising Stars Youth Foundation supporting its student-scholars?

Paul Savramis: One of the most important things we’ve done is establish free programs in more than half a dozen areas. Our students can access everything from virtual magic tutorials to ballet classes and a book club. Although achieving structure during these unsettling times is difficult, having at least a few opportunities to take their minds off of the pandemic is crucial.

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Rising Stars Youth Foundation had an eventful decade, says Paul Savramis. There was great sadness but also great joy and many accomplishments along the way. Here, we use 2020 as an opportunity to look back at our past as we prepare to shape our future.

According to Paul Savramis, the deaths of Tyrone Green and Tunney Maher cast a dark shadow on Rising Stars Youth Foundation. However, we picked ourselves up and used their love of the Rising Stars’ mission to continue on.

The 2010s gave us an opportunity to honor their memories by launching our community service initiatives with many deserving agencies throughout New York. Today, Rising Stars Youth Foundation partners with charities that feed the homeless, emphasize individuality and uniqueness among young women, and support the families of children with terminal illnesses. Paul Savramis explains, further, that his organization continues to forge partnerships that will have a lasting effect on both the student athletes and the people who they serve.

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Rising Stars Youth Foundation has been using basketball to bridge the gap between athletics and academics for more than two decades. What started as a modest program for a handful of at-risk youth has blossomed into an outreach program that serves more than 350 boys and girls from 3rd through 12th grade, says founder Paul Savramis.

Q: How does Rising Stars work?

Paul Savramis: Rising Stars is a nonprofit outreach program that uses basketball as a vehicle to bring kids off the streets and put them on the court. We rely on donations and community support to provide both basketball and educational opportunities to the students we serve.

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Under Armour is one of the most prolific names in sports apparel, says Paul Savramis. But what many people don’t know is that the clothing giant is also a huge supporter of childhood athletics. They sponsor the UA Circuit, which consists of several teams ranging from youth to high school. Rising Stars Youth Foundation is lucky enough to have a few UA teams of their own.

According to Paul Savramis, in addition to the senior boys and girls  having a great run this summer the boys’ UA Future 4th 5th 6th and 7th-grade teams recently made their mark on the UA Circuit.

In Kansas City this year, the 4th graders made it to the  Final Four and the status of being listed as among the best in the country, being beaten only by the #1 team. They finished the championship  round at 13-1. At such a young age, each of these talented ball players showed passion, drive, and determination.

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