The Bright Side: Teams Up, Hands Down

Jarrett Cagel grew up in Dover, in an area with plenty of poverty and crime. It's an area he says gobbles up many young people before they really have a chance to get started in life.

But Jarrett was lucky. His basketball skills earned him a spot on the UMES basketball team. He got an education and is now making it his number one priority to reach back and let other young people know they can make something of themselves too. 

"I was privileged to be a youth counselor and I was able to see a lot of the youth that came from my area that I saw they were influenced in a negative way," said Cagel.

On his quest to reach younger people in eastern Dover, Jarrett formed TUHD, or Teams Up Hands Down. It's a community organization aimed at encouraging kids by offering mentoring, engagement and positive imagery.

"With me seeing the other side of life in college and getting away from my side of town. Just giving them hope and seeing that they can change and transition."

Jarrett says he's helped about 50 kids get to college or achieve their dreams in eastern Delaware. One way he reaches kids is through his music, which is available on several platforms including Instagram. He says the positive messages and imagery in his music make a big impression. 

One of his success stories is heading to Baltimore City College in the fall on a basketball scholarship. 

"I had gotten into a little bit of trouble when I was at Stevensen. I did 10 months, I came home and did what I had to do and he was by my side."

Cagel's music is just one way to show them there are different paths to success. He often visits local playgrounds and basketball courts to do his outreach work. The kids know he's a guy who practices what he preaches, so they look up to him.  

"I'm using this as a tool to show them they don't need to put the weapons and drugs and all that stuff in the visuals. I'm showing them that there is a positive side of this."