Rick Zeitlin, DEAEF Baseball Program Regional Manager, recently traveled from California to Ohio to oversee, manage, and actively participate in several sports programs that highlight the DEA Educational Foundation’s commitment to healthy, drug‐free activities for youth and our important partnership with DEA. This program, made possible through DEA Detroit’s Operation Engage community outreach efforts, brought together partners from many sectors to make an impact on youth in the region through prevention education and a healthy outlet.

In Cleveland, at the Portage Geauga County Juvenile Justice Center, Zeitlin runs the DEA Detroit Operation Engage/DEAEF 10-week kickball program, which offers an essential outlet for young people facing difficult circumstances. The program, held every Monday and Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m., provides an hour-long session during which participants learn the basics of kickball while focusing on stress management and teamwork. Coaches Cody McCulley and Dave Street guide the students as they practice skills designed to lower stress levels and build camaraderie—a critical need for many of the kids, who are either awaiting trial or already involved in the justice system.

Rebecca Zeitlin, a mental health professional, joined the sessions to further engage with the participants. She discussed healthy alternatives for managing stress and explained how drugs and other negative influences can derail one’s future if left unchecked. Her interactive talk prompted questions from the students; one student, after sharing how he relieves stress, asked, “Do you think this is a good alternative to drugs?” The program also featured presentations from two undercover special agents who explained their work and stressed the importance of staying out of trouble—a message that resonated well with the youth despite the facility’s strict security measures prohibiting cell phones, keys, or hoodies.

Reflecting on his visit, Rick said that engaging with the kids and meeting the coaches in person reinforced the importance of maintaining a strong presence in the community. DEA Detroit’s Operation Engage and DEAEF programs not only teach sports fundamentals but also help build character, reduce stress, and steer youth away from negative influences. Initiatives like the kickball and basketball programs continue to create opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and thrive in a positive environment.