I just had the best conversation with one of my employees.

Her name is Kzonic (better know as KZ) Schofield and she is the founder and cheer coach for KJARI All Star Cheer & Dance Tigers. KZ and her husband Pastor Preston Schofield have operated this grassroots program for six years. Preston is the director of KJARI.

What makes this All Star team so unique is the children they serve. They have a team of about 80+ inner city, underprivileged youth. The children range from the ages of 4 to 18. These children have no resources to pay, so the program is free to them.

All they have to do is find sponsors to help pay for their competition costs.

The Schofields have helped several homeless children living at Rescue Outreach Mission by allowing them to participate in this program. If it were not for KJARI, homeless children in the shelter would not have the opportunity to participate due to financial woes of the parents.

Children at KJARI learn how to tumble, cheer and dance. It teaches discipline and motivates the youth.

This program hits home for me because it is close to my reality as a kid. I grew up in the inner city of Miami back in the 70s and 80s. It was people like the Schofield’s that taught me self-discipline through dance, music and drama. I sometimes wonder where would I be if it weren’t for an adult that inspired me.

The Schofields are proud to say that the majority of the children participating in their program have an A or B average in school. Education is very important to both of them. They have tutoring and their goal is to break the cycle of poverty in their homes by encouraging them to stay in school and graduate.

KJARI helps all ethnic backgrounds. They have children that are African-American, Caucasian, Hispanic and Asian.

Today they hold their practices at The Hopper Academy in Sanford. This is the building that is known to be the first black school in Sanford more than 100 years ago.

Because of limited or no funding, the children practice outside tumbling on mattresses. They have uniforms but are in desperate need for new ones. Even though they may not have state-of-the-art practice equipment or new uniforms, they have won more than 70 trophies and have participated in dance and cheer competitions around the Florida.

I have the chance to see two sides of KZ. She is the cook at Rescue Outreach Mission from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then she puts on her coaching gear at 2:30 p.m. Preston is retired from the military. They have four children ages 7-14.

You can always find KZ smiling with the residents and community, encouraging the residents and cooking great food!

I asked KZ what keeps her going and she said her faith in God.

“I’ve been in the foster-care system as a child so I can relate,” said KZ. “My husband and I want to give as many kids hope as we possibly can.”

If you want to find out more about KJARI or would like to sponsor a child, give them a call at 407-212-2741.

I’m glad I know the Schofields. We need more people like them who encourage the children, our future. These are real people making a real difference in the lives of children.