SHELTER 37, Inc. was founded by James Washington in 1993 as a not-for-profit public benefit corporation that provides quality after-school enrichment and life skills programs in southern California.
The mission of SHELTER 37 is to ensure quality of life for all children and mature adults as well as to eliminate disparities in academic achievement among all children. SHELTER 37 seeks to improve the overall well being of children whose life experiences heretofore have been disrupted by crime, violence, neglect, or abandonment. As a result of their environment, these children have turned or potentially may turn to gangs, crime, drugs, or a combination thereof or have or potentially may become withdrawn, antisocial, or socially inept. SHELTER 37's educational childcare facilities are designed to provide children with the tools they need to succeed in life and overcome the challenges within their environment.
Fundraising Events occur throughout the year to help raise funds to support the Mission. Popular events, such as the annual Fun in the Sun Golf Tournament, are enjoyable way to spend the day while making a large impact in children's lives.
In addition, fundraising events help to provide other community activities, such as the ever-popular UCLA Football Camp, tickets to a UCLA football game, Christmas Toy Giveaway at Pico Rivera Sheriff's Station, the Special Olympic Awards BBQ to name a few.
Principal
JAMES M. WASHINGTON was born January 10, 1965 in South Central Los Angeles. He attended David Starr Jordan High and received a football scholarship to the University of California at Los Angeles.
While at UCLA he made great contributions as an athlete. He played in four bowl games; two Rose Bowls, Fiesta Bowl, and Freedom Bowl - all victories. James was very active in on-campus activities being the founder of "Athlete's For The Future," a program designed to give student-athletes an opportunity to give back to their communities via touring elementary schools and providing motivational speeches. He was also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; a nonprofit organization geared towards raising dollars for various charities, and a key factor in raising over $50,000 to donate to the United Negro College Fund.
Upon graduating from UCLA with a BA in History, James was drafted into the NFL by the Los Angeles Rams (1988). He took advantage of the free agency market in 1990 and went to Dallas where he spent most of his career playing for the Dallas Cowboys. On the field he accomplished a great many of his goals. James played in four NFC Championships, had six years of playoff appearances, and yes, contributed to the Dallas Cowboys capturing back-to-back Super Bowl victories!
His success on the field did not, however, interfere with his success off the field. He managed to maintain and even strengthen his involvement in the communities of Dallas and his hometown of Los Angeles. He organized an outreach program in Los Angeles to motivate youngsters to stay in school and away from drugs. In Dallas he was an honorary chairman of Easter Seals Back-A-Fighter campaign (1992-94), which included appearing in nationwide Telethons, public service announcements and regular visits to hospitals. His participation helped to raise millions of dollars for children and disabilities.
James was a radio host on the show "Out Of Bounds" from 6-9am PT on Fox Sports Radio and XM Radio 142. Being a key member of two Dallas Cowboy Super Bowl championship teams in the early 1990's, James brought a fresh perspective to the Fox Sports Radio team. Having lived the high life of an NFL star with such friends like Emmitt Smith, James has been on top of the athletic world and can talk about sports like a true insider! Concurrently serving as a radio host, James is the president of AJK Investments Inc. and Proplayers Inc. AJK Investments Inc. purchases distressed and/or damaged single-family homes for the purpose of rehabilitating or repairing properties for resell to low income or first-time homebuyers.
