The Team

We W.I.L.L. Thru Sports is like any team sport a TEAM effort! Each one of us working together makes We W.I.L.L. Thru Sports a success.

 
Henry Perez – Founder
 
Henry Perez was on born May 24, 1974 on 114st Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY. His father passed away when he was 5 years old leaving his mother Carmen Amaro to raise him along with 8 other siblings. While growing up, there never seemed to be a dull moment with such a big family.  Looking back, he appreciates the struggles and hard times that life dealt to his family and him. One of the most important pieces of advice instilled in Henry from a young age was “if there’s WILL and hard work it pays off in all aspects of life”. He attended schools in NYC, and graduated from Norman Thomas HS in 1995. Henry persevered on to attending and graduating from Herbert H. Lehman College where he received a BA in Recreation Administration. He has held several therapeutic recreation positions and has recently been promoted at his current employment. In addition he is enrolled in a Master level program for therapeutic recreation as well. He has a passion for helping others and in particular those who come from difficult situations/backgrounds. His dedication and determination has reached many young people through athletics and he believes he can reach many more who need to hear and believe that they have a life worth living!

Joseph Cifone
 
Joseph Cifone played high school basketball for La Salle Academy in New York City, in college at the University of Nebraska, and professionally in Italy. He has played basketball for over 40 years and still has so much love and passion for the game that he’s trying to instill this love and passion to the youth of our future. He loves to work with kids and teach them what it takes to play the great game of basketball. This great game can take anyone to different levels and he has a strong desire to help our youth reach their potential levels. Basketball is more than just scoring. Basketball is a team game and such a great way to build friendship’s and longtime relationships.

Joseph currently coach at Riverdale High School along with middle school kids. They were undefeated in 2014 with a record of 12 – 0. He believes that we should role model for our youth the best way we know how and teach kids more and more. Basketball is the sport of choice for him, but believes all sports are a great channel for children to learn and achieve goals.
 
Mary Woods
 
Mary Woods holds a bachelors in Psychology and a master in Art Therapy/ Counseling. In addition she is licensed and board certified in Creative Arts Therapy. She currently hold the position of Senior Recreation Therapist at New York State Psychiatric Institute. Ms. Woods has much experience with fostering the lives of individuals in multiple ways and looks to continue making a change in the world with her creativity and expertise. Ms. Woods grew up in Mount Vernon NY where she worked for a girls sports camp. During this time, she was able to teach, role model, and empower young girls.  For the past 14 years she has also life guarded and instructed swim classes where she gets to touch many other youth lives. Ms. Woods has a passion to give youth hope and oppurtunities. She believes that they deserve a chance at success no matter where they come from. Their circumstances do not define who they are and they matter.