YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Middle schoolers in the Mahoning Valley got the opportunity to learn valuable skills from an NFL coach and Youngstown native on Saturday.

Kids in grades six through eight gathered at Youngstown State University's Watson and Tressell Training Site (WATTS) to participate in The Audible Project's Youth Football Camp featuring Atlanta Falcons Secondary Coach Justin Hood.

Hood told 21 News the purpose of the camp is to bring the community together and give people something to do on the weekend while helping them learn valuable skills on the football field.

"I didn't become successful on my own. I had a lot of mentors and a lot of opportunities and I wanted to provide that to these young people here," Hood said.

The Audible Project is an organization founded by Hood with the goal of helping youth set goals and stay on the path to achieve those goals.

"It's about mentorship, it's about expanding, it's about access. So for me, it's about giving these people everything that we can to help them grow and to be successful and acheive their goals," Hood said.

Hood is a Youngstown native, growing up on the city's south and west sides and graduating from Chaney High School in 2004.

He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in from Ashland University in 2008 and his Master's degree from the University of Illinois in 2013 according to the Atlanta Falcons' website.

Hood told 21 News it feels great to be back in his hometown.

"I haven't been to the city in a long time, but when I do come back, I always stop at Youngstown Chaney, I always talk to the football coaches when I can [and] go and spend time with the team, but coming back I was able to see how the community embraced me and how much they're enjoying this event, so it's been fun," Hood said.