How one Pittsburgh boxing gym is helping young people across the city

In the next edition of "WTAE Listens," we focus on the problems surrounding youth violence and the solutions.Many talk about the need for positive influences and outlets for these kids. One man on Pittsburgh's North Side is using his boxing gym to help keep kids healthy and out of trouble. “It's a safe haven for a couple of different reasons. Because they're spending their time here and also we instill in them a lot of things that deter them from getting into fights outside of the gym,” Michael Manna, president of Northside Athletic Club, said.“I come here when I'm mad, when I’m happy, and it's a place to let all my frustrations out,” said Tommy Parker. "When I was coming up, there were times when I couldn't afford to do things,” Manna said. Check out these top headlines from WTAE: Peeling license plate? Here's how to get it replaced Giant Eagle: No more weekly ads in the mail Family says fiberglass released from mattress caused health problems, expensive cleanupThat memory led Manna on a mission to offer free boxing at Northside Athletic Club’s Spring Garden Avenue location to any child enrolled in school, as long as they keep their grades up and volunteer once a month.“It's for people who are in poverty, but it's also for people, like single moms. Like my mother, there were times when it was hard for her to have me in a sport because it was a financial burden, and I don't want that for people,” Manna said. The pro boxer, who's also a Pittsburgh insurance agent, uses a lot of his own money to fund the facility. He plays a fatherly role over these young men, who not only look up to him but relate to and respect him. “He really helped me bring the confidence out in myself,” Jaise Csurilla said.”I never really used to be too confident. I used to take the low road, but he's really helped me uplift myself.“I'm proud of all these guys,” Manna said. Sponsors are helping Manna keep the gym running so he can keep the doors open seven days a week for these kids.

In the next edition of "WTAE Listens," we focus on the problems surrounding youth violence and the solutions.

Many talk about the need for positive influences and outlets for these kids. One man on Pittsburgh's North Side is using his boxing gym to help keep kids healthy and out of trouble.

“It's a safe haven for a couple of different reasons. Because they're spending their time here and also we instill in them a lot of things that deter them from getting into fights outside of the gym,” Michael Manna, president of Northside Athletic Club, said.

“I come here when I'm mad, when I’m happy, and it's a place to let all my frustrations out,” said Tommy Parker.

"When I was coming up, there were times when I couldn't afford to do things,” Manna said.

Check out these top headlines from WTAE:

That memory led Manna on a mission to offer free boxing at Northside Athletic Club’s Spring Garden Avenue location to any child enrolled in school, as long as they keep their grades up and volunteer once a month.

“It's for people who are in poverty, but it's also for people, like single moms. Like my mother, there were times when it was hard for her to have me in a sport because it was a financial burden, and I don't want that for people,” Manna said.

The pro boxer, who's also a Pittsburgh insurance agent, uses a lot of his own money to fund the facility.

He plays a fatherly role over these young men, who not only look up to him but relate to and respect him.

“He really helped me bring the confidence out in myself,” Jaise Csurilla said.”I never really used to be too confident. I used to take the low road, but he's really helped me uplift myself.

“I'm proud of all these guys,” Manna said.

Sponsors are helping Manna keep the gym running so he can keep the doors open seven days a week for these kids.

How one Pittsburgh boxing gym is helping young people across the city

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