Home / Education / Boxing Gym Offers Sanctuary to Immigrant Teens
Boxing Gym Offers Sanctuary to Immigrant Teens
17 Apr
Summary
- Boxing program at ATLAS High School aids immigrant students.
- School faces declining enrollment due to student fears.
- Boxing provides emotional outlet and vocational training.
ATLAS High School in Queens, New York, is implementing innovative programs, including a boxing club, to support its predominantly immigrant student population. Many students, newly arrived in the United States, face significant anxiety due to fears of deportation and unsafe living conditions, contributing to rising chronic absenteeism and declining enrollment.
Boxing coach Mike Figueroa's program, operating from a converted storage closet, provides students with a constructive outlet for their stress and a sense of community. This initiative aims to encourage attendance and engagement, offering a stark contrast to the pressures many students face outside of school.
The school also offers other vocational programs like iPhone repair and cosmetology, alongside the boxing club, which now includes a pathway for students to earn trainer certifications. These opportunities help students develop practical skills and potential employment avenues while navigating their uncertain futures in the U.S.
Recent enrollment at ATLAS has dropped significantly, to 732 students from a peak of around 1,400, amidst national immigration crackdowns. School administrators are actively seeking ways to create a welcoming and safe environment, such as through supportive signage and tailored programs like boxing, to combat student withdrawal and foster a sense of belonging.
