SOUTHEAST, D.C. (WUSA) -- Here the uniforms aren't always
uniform and there are stark visual reminders, like house arrest ankle monitors, that the players here have made their share of mistakes.
They're getting another chance," says Jose de Olivera, Director of Maya Angelou Adult Learning Center in Northwest, Washington, D.C.
Lloyd Cornish is helping them. The D.C. native has created a sports league for District alternative education students with his own money. Currently, it's the only one of its kind.
"I just feel like this is my purpose in life," says Cornish.
It was an idea born out of pain and suffering. His good friend Deloren Young was a talented athlete growing up. Young was also a good role model for kids, however, he fell victim to senseless street violence.
Cornish created the foundation in his friend's honor and pledged to save as many kids as he could. He recruits on the street in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods.
"We use our street basketball league as a recruiting pool to enroll them in a night school and GED program and the Adult Education League (A.E.L.)."
And they can't play unless they keep up attendance standards in their alternative education program.
Is it working? In the case of Marcus Bates he says when he's on the court, any troubles he might be having off the court just "go away."
"It makes me realize I need to get out of the streets and get my head in the books," says Antoine Jackson.
Words like that are music to Cornish's ears.
The league currently consists of basketball, but Cornish says he has plans to expand the league to additional sports for both men and women.
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