Chris is the inaugural member of THE GIVE TEAM. The first team member, Chris was younger than the target age when he started. THE GIVE TEAM is a varsity sport-like experience focusing on developing strength by doing hard things, and Chris was only in middle school when he joined. But there’s always been something special about Chris. He’s always worked hard and made it seem effortless. Smooth.

Chris just finished his freshman year at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina, the first in his family to attend college. Chris grew up in the Parramore neighborhood of Orlando, Florida, a community with high rates of poverty, crime, unemployment, gang activity, violence, and a place where many say hope is hard to find. It’s also home to New Image Youth Center and The Give Team, keeping hope alive by helping youth develop strength through adversity. 

In 2022, Chris graduated from Oak Ridge High School. Despite carrying a heavy course load of challenging classes and a demanding schedule of extracurricular activities and community engagement, Chris finished high school with a 3.8 GPA. But because Chris is not yet a US citizen, he wasn’t afforded the usual financial benefits available to other students with less impressive academic and community credentials. 

We’re happy to report Chris CONTINUED his academic success through his freshman year of college. Chris has always wanted to be a lawyer and he’s maintained that 3.8 GPA after his first year in college as a pre law major, also earning a spot on the Chancellor’s List.

SO WHAT? We need your help. In order for Chris to return to North Carolina for his sophomore year, the school is requiring him to pay off the $15,000 balance representing out of state tuition, room, and board from his PREVIOUS year . 

Chris has a solid plan going forward. He’ll be cutting expenses by living off campus. And while he’ll have the added burden of food prep, preparing his own food will be cheaper. He’ll have a job working at Amazon which has a facility close to campus. And with Chris’ success his freshman year, the school has also committed to offering additional assistance with tuition and school expenses. But first, they’re requiring he settle up his first year bill.

We only need 1,000 people to donate $15, and Chris will be able to be back in Greensboro his sophomore year. If you’re familiar with THE GIVE TEAM, you may know about THE GIVE TEAM 15 (our team warmup consisting of 15 exercises). Well, this is a NEW Give Team 15. $15 for Chris. So please throw a couple shekels in the hat, AND SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Why? Because Chris is EXACTLY the example we need for the young men and women of New Image Youth Center, the Parramore community, the state of Florida, and the country, showing us ALL that with consistent and persistent hard work there is a path to success even if the challenges in front of you seem daunting. Like growing up in a neighborhood with a high poverty rate. Or having to settle a $15,000 bill in a handful of weeks before you can go back to school. 

Thank you in advance for embodying our team motto: No matter how little you have, you ALWAYS have something to give. If you don’t have money, give time. If you’re too busy, give effort. If you’re too tired, give a smile, give a compliment, give a hug. Give love. But always BE STRONG! GIVE MORE!

** ANY EXCESS FUNDS will support the programs of NEW IMAGE YOUTH CENTER and THE GIVE TEAM, assisting underserved youth in the Parramore, Oak Ridge, and Pine Hills communities of Orlando. Those funds will be applied in your name to the CHRISTOPHER AMERVIL FUND, and will go toward helping other students like Chris’ four younger siblings on their path to college.