Malak pictured here shooting a foul shot at the National's Game in Myrtle Beach, SC 

Malak Bontzolakes, age 13, has been selected to enter the competitions at the United World Games in Austria June 2023. The trip includes a 10-day international cultural experience to Italy, Germany, and Games in Austria. He is the only CANDIDATE from New York State to ever attend! 

It would be a great honor to represent Team USA in the United World Games at such a pivotal time when we are bouncing back from the recent travel restrictions that have taken place in the world.

Pictured here with Mayor Byron Brown

The two challenges that we are striving to solve: 

The first challenge we are stiving to solve is:

Malak is a homeschooled athlete.  He began his homeschooling journey after religious exemptions were REVOKED in New York State --June 2019.  What that meant is that anyone who held previous religious exemptions were no longer to exercise that right. 26,000+ students, including student athletes like my son, were kicked out of NYS Education (schooling) system. My son's aspirations of playing intercollegiate sports in Middle School and High School in NY were placed to a complete halt.  

Our hope is that we can end the inequalities, barriers, and adversities for my son, homeschooling families, and other youth who are prevented from pursuing scholarships to area high schools and college by using their athletic talents. 

• #1 WE want to solve this problem by providing financial assistant to alternative ways for youth to excel and achieve athletic success via sports teams, camps, trainings, and combines.

Malak is blessed to be a homeschooling child, but he has been EXCLUDED from playing intercollegiate sports in NY. Again, this affected 26,000+ students. many were exceptional athletes who depend on their athleticism to earn college scholarships.   Those families that chose religion could no long send their children to NY State schools. Those families like mine who held their rights to religious freedoms made very expensive decision, financial, emotional, and social sacrifices.  Like most parents I want to see my son follow his passions.  Playing sports (particularly basketball) is his passion.  Placing him in Travel teams has been a huge financial strain in my finances.  If he was in school, he would be able to play sports in school at little to no cost to the family. He is excluded from representing WNY in various competitions in NYS that only include athletes who are in schools. 

We want to change that. We want to help change the legislation around who can participate in intercollegiate sports.  That is why we are starting the Resilient Lifestyle Clothing Brand. Aimed not only to help families financially who cannot afford to pay the astronomical amount of money it cost per season, but also to confront politicians about the inequalities, injustices, and barriers that his poses on homeschooling athletes.

The Second Challenge that we are facing is bittersweet.

Because of Malak's aspirations to play Basketball at a higher level (college and professionally), and the skills to make that happen, I (his mom) have sacrificed finances, time, and social life to be there for Malak every step of the way. 

The journey has been a challenging one, but it wasn't in vain.  By August 2022 Malak had been invited to several combines, training, camps, and tournaments. He continues to grow in his craft! He is dedicated and hardworking.

Pictured at the Made Hoops Combine Dallas, TX September 2022

The Blessings in the midst of the storm:

In August 2022, PhD Hoops sought out their 8-10 candidates for their 14u team for the United World Games and Malak was selected after they saw a highlight reel from July 2022 Nationals in Myrtle Beach when Malak was only 12 years old. (video is above--please excuse the explicit lyrics).

MALAK IS THE 1ST STUDENT ATHLETE FROM NEW YORK STATE TO EVER HAVE GONE TO THE UNITED WORLD GAMES! IF YOU ARE FROM NY that should be reason enough to be proud and supportive of his efforts! 

Pictured here at CP3 Combine Chicago, IL October 2022 with two of his teammates from Buffalo, NY

Malak is a humble soft spoken gentle youth who (on and off the court) rather let you see who he is by his actions rather than his words.  When locked in he produces results that average about 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, and 3 assists per game.  He is a team player and his efforts showed up at the Nationals in Myrtle Beach. There is no doubt that he would be an asset to the Team USA.  However, the experience comes at a cost. 

It will cost $10,000+ for him and I to go together.  What mom wouldn't want to be there for their son's international debut? What child wouldn't want their mom to be there?

      #2 This is 2nd challenge we are striving to solve.  I am seeking community support to make this possible.  I cannot afford to do it alone.  I am seeking family support, friends, acquaintances, community leaders, business owners and their extended networks to assist me to help make his dream possible! Together we can be PROUD OF OUR HOMETOWN sending a 13-year-old to the United World Games Represent, Buffalo, the State New York, and the USA! 

Malak pictured here with mom (me) after winning a championship with his team The Un1t Promise

Without your support this will not be possible. In exchange for your support, we will be giving away t-shirts and/or hoodies from his brand "Resilient Lifestyle" based on your donation level.

Above is the design on some of Malak's hoodies

Furthermore, Malak and his mom desire to help other aspiring homeschooling athletes reach their full potential. You, as a donor will help build the foundation to his non-profit clothing brand "Resilient Lifestyle." Proceeds (goal beyond the $10k) will help other youth and families who either homeschool or have other adversities that prevent their children from playing sports in schools can have their children realize and enjoy sports outside of school environments. 

We need you to be a partner to help change the lives of families who have held on to their beliefs and obligations to their children. You will be the real heroes! You will be the Real Cheerleaders locally while the youth travel domestically and abroad building resilient children, families, and communities. We can build this together and we can feel good about a good cause! 

Malak at his latest debut in Virginia Beach, VA 

This is Malak's direct mission he wants to instill this in children, families, and communities. He believes wearing his brand can positively influence the families and communities. When wearing the brand Malak believe it will empower others to be overcome anything that they may be going through it the would BE RESILIENT!  

"Resilient Lifestyle was forged out of my innate ability to persevere through all adversities, barriers and inequalities; and to remind others that in order to achieve anything you must be resilient." -- Malak Bontzolakes

Pictured with The Un1t Promise  athletes

No donation is too small. Every Dollar counts! People always say that, but to be honest mom was hesitant to ask (trying to be the superhero to do it on her own). Asking for help is/was very difficult. because of that has feel behind on financial efforts to be able to attend. Your expeditious donations will help subside her anxieties about attending. 

Other ways to contribute:

• Please share with 20 people via text or direct message just telling other about our family, our personalities and why they should support us (especially if you are on limited income)
• Please encourage your 20 closest family and friends to match your donation. Example: if you donate $50 ask 20 families to match your donation of $50. This will help us reach goals quickly.
• If you cannot contribute at all send the link to 40 people and encourage them to contribute at least $10 each. But again, always sharing with them why you believe in Malak, his mom, and/or the mission of Resilient Lifestyle. 
• Lean heavily on Social Media platforms (inbox preferred)
• If you know anyone that will do a news story on us that is a GREAT WAY to support us. 

Thank you for helping in any and all ways possible! It is greatly appreciated!