Beat the Streets' mission is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the New York City wrestling culture. We believe the sport of wrestling instills an uncommon combination of character traits that lead to better life outcomes, both in the short-term and long-term. It has been well-documented that sports-based youth development in general leads to the exhibition of positive social behaviors, sportsmanship, and moral reasoning while reducing anti-social and criminal behaviors. While it lowers school drop-out and delinquency rates, it creates an increased sense of personal responsibility, and ultimately results in greater adult career achievement. Combined with a consistent push for academic excellence and growth, as well as ancillary programming to develop college aspirations and assistance to reach those new goals, Beat the Streets believes the sport of amateur wrestling delivers such a unique life skill set that it stands out as a superlative vehicle for improving the lives of young boys and girls.