Proehlific Park

Ricky and Kelly Proehl founded The P.O.W.E.R. of Play Foundation in 1995 to help children in N.C. who will benefit from emotional, physical, spiritual and financial support. The Foundation teaches the core values of Play, Opportunity, Work, Excellence & Respect (P.O.W.E.R.). We count it a privilege and a blessing to help these children so they know how much they are loved! Please watch our video and learn more about us. If this mission touches your heart, we invite you to help us through volunteering your time, monetary donations and prayer. Please contact Julia Eger for more information. Thank you so much for learning more about our Foundation and considering being a partner with us to make an impact in the lives of these children!

WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO:

77% of American Youth are left home alone every afternoon
Source: US Census Bureau
Most juvenile offenses occur around 3pm on weekdays
Source: NC Dept. of Juvenile Justice
The average cost per family for their children to participate in extracurricular activities is $2,000 per year
Source: NBC News
There are over 510,000 children in the foster care system. The average amount of time a child spends in care is 28 months, and the average number of different placements a child receives is 3.
Source: AFCARS
13.87% of children in the U.S. have some sort of developmental disability (including ADHD and autism)
Source: CDC
The prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased 17.1% in the last decade (equivalent to 1.8 million children)
Source: CDC
NATIONAL STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT MENTORED STUDENTS ARE:

46% less likely to start using illegal drugs
27% less likely to start using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school
They also increase their grades by 59% and perhaps most important, mentored students increase their aspirations and goals by 79%