DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Northwood Children’s Services hosted a night out Thursday featuring Minnesota Vikings Fullback C.J. Ham.
Northwood Children’s Services recently acquired The Valley Youth Center, which provides after school and summer programs for youth in West Duluth.
CEO for Northwood Children’s Center, Larry Pajari, said Thursday night’s event was focused on mental health awareness for kids.
“It’s really about mental health awareness, really to try to give to the kids, whatever we make tonight will go directly to the valley youth center,” said Pajari.
Pajari said Ham’s work with The Valley Youth Center during college and his commitment to supporting Duluth’s youth made him the perfect special guest for Thursday’s event.
“Obviously he’s a local hero with the Vikings, he’s fantastic but also he worked at The Valley Youth Center, was part of The Boys and Girls Club, just tied to West Duluth, he has a scholarship fund for kids in the area,” said Pajari.
Pajari said The Valley Youth Center is the perfect addition to their programming, which includes providing holistic and professional care, education, and treatment for children.
“Being part of bigger umbrella with Northwood, they (The Valley Youth Center) feel to be more secure for the long term, so they can be around and provide effective programing like they have for decades,” said Pajari.
The panel had a little bit of everything, from Ham singing, to the panelists asking him about his plane seat preference, to questions about who the best Denfeld High School football player of all-time is.
“I would say Taye Manns, the running back who just finished his senior season, is by far the best prospect ever put on the Denfeld helmet,” said Ham.
The humble NFL veteran said Manns has a long way to go, but says he believes the Denfeld running back could go pro.
“That’s up to him, if he wants to work for it, that’s all,” said Ham.
The night took a more serious tone when Ham spoke about overcoming mental health challenges, he encouraged kids to reach out for help if they’re struggling.
“I had my moments where I struggled and I wasn’t being myself and that’s when I realized I need help, I need to find someone to talk to so just trying to be an advocate along side everyone in here just showing ‘hey it’s not a weak thing to ask for help it’s the strong thing to ask for help,‘”
An estimated 300 people were in attendance and Pajari said all donations went to support The Valley Youth Center.
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