San Diego Chargers Players Participate in Work Experience Program with the Neighborhood House Association

The Neighborhood House Association and the San Diego Chargers partnered together to create a work experience program for young Chargers team members. The partnership kicked off this Spring with a three-month internship at NHA for Defensive Tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Wide Receiver Gary Banks and Defensive End Andre Coleman. This partnership is aimed at providing a work experience opportunity for the athletes during their off-season, while giving them an opportunity to give back to the community.

The three players were assigned to work in different departments at NHA, based on their educational background, prior experience and areas of interest. Nwagbuo worked in both the Community Affairs and Human Resources departments, while Banks worked directly with the organization's eight Social Services programs and Coleman focused on NHA's Head Start program.

"I'm gained a lot of valuable experience by participating in this program," said Nwagbuo. "By working at a well established nonprofit in San Diego, like the Neighborhood House Association, I had the opportunity to help the community that I grew up in while preparing for a life after the NFL."

The players participating in the work experience program had an opportunity to work at a variety of NHA locations throughout San Diego, speak with teens in NHA's pregnancy prevention program and interact with clients and the community by representing the agency at community events.

"The athletes who participated in this work experience program are not only helping themselves prepare for the future, but they are sending an excellent message to young kids out there on the importance of balancing their athletic dreams with education and work experience," said NHA President and CEO Rudolph A. Johnson, III.