ADSL was founded by concerned parents in 1982 during the time of racial strife in Boston. Today it is Dorchester’s largest youth program -- one of the mainstays of the community with over 2,000 athletes (49% girls), 110 volunteers, one full-time and eight part-time staff. Committed to the belief that sports is the strongest way to keep kids off drugs and out of trouble, they nonetheless have broadened their programs; in 1997 they created an Education Resource Center, providing a quiet place to study as well as individual tutoring and counseling; today 30 youths are enrolled in private schools. ADSL works as talent scout with some of the most prestigious secondary schools in Massachusetts -- 115 in college, almost all from families with no prior experience of higher education. Kids start with ADSL when they are 5 years old, and continue through their teens; by now, ADSL has worked with many children for almost their entire conscious lives. A number of alumni volunteer in various leadership capacities, all of course as role models for the youngsters. So this is a successful program that has weathered many storms, saved many lives, and which now merits your support.