DC SCORES does amazing work for the DC community. I’ve volunteered with them and it’s always rewarding and most of all, fun! They also have an incredibly helpful staff who are dedicated to the programs they run. All of DC is lucky that DC SCORES does the work they do!
DC SCORES provides great support to poet-athletes throughout the city. The pandemic has not slowed this group down, they have pivoted to more online programming, supplemented by mailing equipment and creative writing essentials to participants homes. I am on the Advisory Board and thrilled to be associated with this organization that is truly making a difference in the lives of DC youth.
Amazing organization. Been involved for years and they continue to create incredible impact and value for youth in the District through their 3-pronged approach of soccer, poetry & service learning.
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I have been a long-time volunteer of D.C. SCORES, supporting their office and field activities, and over this time, I have seen the impact and opportunities the organization has provided to D.C.P.S. students, teaching them expression, teamwork, and so much more. All the accolades D.C. SCORES has received are well deserved, and that includes consideration by Great Nonprofits. Please enable D.C. SCORES to continue its critical work.
Fantastic events that reach so many children in need within the DC area, building their confidence and improving their health. I couldn't be more proud to be part of the organization.
DC SCORES provides an absolutely vital service to the youth of DC, and everyone involved in the organization from staff to management to volunteers is absolutely top notch.
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Two minutes at a soccer game day or poetry slam, and you'll know that DC Scores is performing an absolutely vital service. DC Scores provides lessons in teamwork, camaraderie, expression through poetry, and much, much more to children in some of the neediest DC communities. I'm proud to be involved with such great people and such a great organization.
DC SCORES helps "scores" of kids in Washington DC. The combination of soccer and poetry brings out the best of any child and helps them to build a community where they can feel safe and strong.
DC SCORES is doing great work in the community to connect local children with positive mentors and role models while allowing them creative outlets both on and off the field.
Credible, well-run organization that is committed to the young creative minds and athletes of our future. Their care and support for the fellow staff members and community they serve is remarkable.
The best way to experience DC SCORES is by participating in one of its marquee events, whether it's a Poetry Slam or a Fall Frenzy/Spring Jamboree. With COVID-19, being able to do this has been limited, but experiencing online poetry slams, such as Our Words Our City shows the positive impact DC SCORES is still able to make and serve its poet-athletes during the pandemic. Observing the confidence in these kids while they're reading their own poetry, or the hustle and sportsmanship they display while playing soccer, it's clear that the poet-athletes are positively benefiting from DC SCORES programming. Now, more than ever, it's imperative to make sure our must susceptible children have the opportunity to participate in programming that grows both their physical and social/emotional strengths and DC SCORES continues to find ways to be there for them.
It's been energizing to see how DC Scores has effectively pivoted during the pandemic and continued to provide programming to kids in DC. At a time when many organizations are struggling, DC Scores is delivering!
I’ve been a community based supporter, advocate, and at times, a financial donor, of DC Scores. Their work is critical to the lives of Black and Brown DC youth, and an important, necessary and invaluable staple in the DC community. Their trajectory towards racial justice and social equity also has great promise given COVID-19 and the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which include diversifying their body of advisors and decision makers. I am thrilled to highlight their effort’s within the philanthropic space in DC, and wish them continued success.
I have been a volunteer, supporter and more recently a board member of DC SCORES - a 15 year-long relationship. The mission, people and program are top notch and I am proud to be a part of the team. The impact on kids is powerful, and the program represents a creative combination of opportunities for kids to challenge themselves, express themselves, and to grow as part of team. The organization is run by some of the best leaders I have worked with, and supported by a loyal group of volunteers, donors, staff and champions who make it a truly special family to be a part of. One of the specific things I can point to is how - with the advent of social distancing and remote schooling - the dedicated board and staff were able to adjust both the program and business plan to ensure that we could still support and connect with kids in the neighborhoods we serve. In addition, the organization's focus on creating a level playing field for under-served kids is directly in support of racial equity which continues to be a focus of our team. It is an honor to serve the community through such an exceptional nonprofit and I would encourage anyone interested in making a difference to look into it further.
Best organization in town bar none helping shape and positions tomorrows leaders with the foundation for success
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DC scores has provided a wonderful experience for my son and other kids in DCPS..they are not just learning a sport , they are learning team work and sportsmanship and growing in confidence. And it’s a lot of fun. The junior scores event organized today was again a wonderful experience for the kids and their families.
Great community and great events. The organization shows that they care about the communities they support.
The organization is unmatched in its ability to promote confidence, self esteem, creativity and athleticism for underserved youth at a critical life juncture.
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It's hard to imagine a nonprofit in DC that has a greater impact on youth development than DC SCORES. Were it not for DC SCORES, more than 2,000 local students would not have opportunities to play after-school soccer, develop new friendships outside the classroom, and build self-worth through ongoing poetry programs. The staff does an incredible job serving its ~60 sites today, and their ambition to continue expanding into untapped parts of the city is highly inspiring.
I love telling people about the great work DC Scores does for at-risk youth in the community. Watching the kids have fun playing soccer is awesome and watching them perform poems is inspiring! If you ever have a chance to see DC Scores in action, take it, you'll be hooked just like I was!
DC Scores is a great Non-profit organization for kids in the DC area and also being an alumni of DC Scores there is no better way to spend time after school with your friends playing soccer and writing poetry and learning Teamwork, Leadership, and Commitment DC Scores is the best
DC Scores is so amazing, they help to build up the schools with which they partner outside of their own work. I am an elected official in the DC Government, called an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, and the photo below is the group of parents from Truesdell Elementary attending hearings in front of the DC Council to ask for an elevator to allow injured and physically challenged students attend class, and a restored playground where equipment is dangerous and very outdated. Truesdell has had DC Scores at their school, which is made up of primarily at risk children, for more than a decade. It was their ties to the kids and the parents that helped bring these folks together, and DC Scores staff trained us in how to give testimony. Finally, they paid for and organized the bus to transport the parents to give testimony. As a result, we got the funding for both the playground and the elevator for the school. This is how DC Scores empowers communities by strengthening neighborhood schools, particularly those that face particular challenges and disadvantages.
I have been involved with DC Scores nearly since its founding, serving as the organization's board chair for several years. I have volunteered at events, hosted fundraisers, gave them old office furniture, and more. My house is littered with art, poetry and memorabilia purchased to support Scores. The organization has come a long way from a tireless young woman with a great idea to a real force for good in Washington, DC and model for organizations nationally. When DC Scores calls, the answer is "yes."
One of the best organizations to volunteer for in the DC area. You can actually see the impact of your work and the staff is very friendly!
I've helped out with DC SCORES in a variety of ways, including helping with poetry slams, going to games, and helping with basic data analysis. Every time that I have helped out I leave feeling so inspired.
The children DC SCORES supports are the most deserving and perseverant children. In their poetry, they're allowed to express hardships with racism, xenophobia and growing up with the stress of growing up in low-income areas. However, they are also allowed to express the joys of living in their homes, being siblings, and playing a universal sport. On the field, these children learn leadership, teamwork, and gain the support to participate in the universal language of soccer. The data that we analyzed, showed that this support and community assisted in student confidence especially for students whose first language was not English.
Today, in an era where African Americans, Latinos, and many other marginalized communities face stress, hatred, and bigotry both through legislation and everyday interaction, community building like this is essential. Seeing the joy on kids faces as they cheer each other on stage or on the field is so hopeful. I have seen students cheer on their peers through nerve-wracking solos, give high fives through missed goals, or just pass the ball with their coaches. Despite the circumstances of our political state or surviving as a low income or minority student in America, DC SCORES brings students joy and community.
As a volunteer, I have felt so lucky to witness the art and teamwork these students display and produce. As a child, access to reduced cost arts programs opened the world to me and allowed me to come into my own. Being able to support an organization that does that for others, in any small way, has been such an amazing gift. I am so grateful for all the DC SCORES staff and everything they do!
I have been involved with DC Scores for 3 years and it is humbling to see the great work that the leadership team and the staff do to empower kids with their programming and their dedication. The mission is simple. Use soccer, poetry, and service learning to help children coming from underserved communities realize their true potential, and for that, I am grateful to be a part of such an organization. DC Scores is a beacon of hope for all of us.
The work this organization does for the DC community is incredible! I've been lucky enough to see first-hand the impact DC SCORES has not only on its participants but also their coaches and families as well. Through DC SCORES, I've gotten to know some of their participants and see them grow into better players on the field, but more importantly, grow into better people off the field.
I have been involved with DC Scores since it's founding as a Board Member (with a little time off). Being involved with many organizations, I have yet to find another that rises to the level of accomplishment as does DC Scores. Both in terms of the sheer number of kids helped both athletically and scholastically, it has no real rivals. The dedication of the staff, coaches and volunteers is incredible and the results delivered by the kids is palpable - both in terms of scholastic achievement and personal growth and pride. Mark D. Cowan
I have been involved with DC Scores for many years as a donor and more recently as a board member. Recently, I attended the Fall Frenzy for the first time and seeing the smiles on every child and parent's face was a clear indicator of the program's effectiveness and value to the participants and their families. DC Scores is clearly making a difference in those communities that need it the most in all quadrants of the city.
My Name is Ana Galeas Martinez. Since I was 8, DC SCORES has been my family. I joined DC SCORES in third grade and stayed in DC SCORES all the way through 8th grade. Once I got to high school, I volunteered with DC SCORES. I’ve been a summer camp counselor, assistant coach, and referee. I even helped DC SCORES launch an alumni leadership program. I’m now studying at Montgomery College majoring in General Studies in Film and Photography, and working as a Soccer Coordinator for DC SCORES. I get to mentor kids and encourage them to do better things in life and make them feel special in life playing soccer and writing.
DC SCORES isn’t just my home; it’s a home base for so many kids like me. Thank you for making that possible!
I have been involved with this wonderful organization for about 18 months. Never before have I found such a dedicated and caring staff that thrives on making a difference in these children's lives. D.C. Scores provides pivotal support to at risk children in communities throughout the city by emphasizing the importance of and helping them achieve results in nutrition, exercise and literacy, with soccer as the catalyst. Any and all support is appreciated and foments positive results in the lives of children in our city.
I am a proud supporter of DC SCORES and their genuine commitment to offering impactful programs that foster teamwork, leadership, community service and educational development for students in all 8 wards of DC.
While the students have an opportunity to receive consistent support on and off of the playing field - the DC SCORES staff, coaches, volunteers, and board members have an opportunity to witness first-hand the excitement and pure joy of a student when they share their original poem, research and implement their service-learning plan, or put on their soccer jersey.
D.C. Scores does so much to build the confidence, athleticism and creativity of many children in our city. Their tireless approach to organization and guidance to engage these young minds in programs that will teach them new skills and build beneficial relationships is remarkable. Every interaction I've had with the children and team members has been rewarding because of their enthusiasm and commitment to the greater cause. Let's continue to help guide these children and hopefully more with effective fundraising to have more schools involved with the D.C. Scores experience.
You will not find a more dedicated staff or harder-working Board than at DC Scores. As a nine year supporter, and new Board member, I have fresh insights into how this organization works, and it's driven more by passion than dollars. The impact they have on kids is undeniable: just look at them at the end of the school year. They are confident and articulate. Nothing drives this home more then watching them perform at their Poetry Slam. Attending (and even watching rehearsals) is a powerful experience. These kids have a lot to say, and DC Scores gives them the skills to express themselves and a stage to perform.
I ended up volunteering for DC Scores as I was looking for a way to get involved in the DC Community. To say I was hooked is a complete understatement. The empowerment and kinship that is formed through DC Scores are intoxicating. Everyone from the Poets/Soccer Players (children), to the staff/board, to the volunteers were engaged at all levels. You can really tell that DC Scores has a lasting impact on the children, their family, and the community as a whole. Anyone looking to get involved with a great organization that really makes you feel as one of their own, look no further! DC Scores is the most underrated organization in DC, hands down.
I first encountered DC Scores when I was working at a DC Charter School. They had immense success with our students and were an incredibly popular program. I had kept up with them through the years and recently became more active in volunteering. The events I have attended so far have reconfirmed the positive impact DC Scores has on youth both on and off the field. You can really see the dedication in the staff and volunteers as well as the students themselves. Definitely recommend becoming involved with the program!
DC SCORES helps children that come from disadvantaged communities to gain the self confidence they need to succeed in life. I've been honored to volunteer with the organization on and off for over a decade, and to serve as a Board member the last few years. The leadership is outstanding. The Board is highly energized. The staff is spectacular. I have never heard a complaint out of students or parents. Well done!
DC SCORES is a terrific organization that does wonders for the kids it works with. The combination of soccer, service learning, and poetry is such a unique combination. I have witnessed firsthand how much both SCORES kids and whole families get out of their programs. There really is no other non-profit like it within in the District!
I have worked with DC Scores on and off, mostly on, for a period of almost 25 years. It is a stellar organization that provides a base through soccer wherein inner city children have access to a first class after school program - as opposed to the streets or home alone - that integrates with literacy improvement, higher matriculation rates and a strong propensity to move into higher education. In my experience there is no program like it in terms of both performance and measurable, objective results. Mark D. Cowan
I served as an employee and now a volunteer, and I can't say enough great things about DC SCORES. As an employer, this org is the definition of work hard, play hard(er). There's organized "staff fun" events like baseball games, picnics, and team building before every staff meeting. As a youth-serving nonprofit, DC SCORES is as good as it gets. With a community-centric attitude, staff, teachers, students, and parents work together under the values of teamwork, leadership, and commitment to build teams and solve problems in all 8 DC wards. Jump on any opportunity you get to join this amazing organization in any capacity!
It's amazing to see gown DC SCORES helps DC Public School students develop soft skills and see the importance of being in a team through sports and creative writing. Fall Frenzy and Jamboree are the best places to see this!
DC Scores is a terrific program. It combines the team experience provided by the soccer teams, with self expression and community service. This is an amazing combination and it provides kids in need with growing experiences that many of us took for granted when we were young, or we take for granted for our own children. The most stunning aspect of all this is that, but for DC Scores, these kids would have no after school programs and would be on the street or on a couch, alone, in front of a TV. As a math teacher and a soccer coach, as much as I think what happens in the math classroom is important, it is what happens on the soccer team that grows kids, gives them leadership skills and teaches them the important life lessons about themselves, being part of a group effort and being part of a community. That is invaluable. That is what DC Scores provides.
The self-expression part of the program, which really grabs the kids' imagination and creativity, allows them to recognize, process and express many of the complicated emotions and feelings that they have about themselves and the world around them. Again, for many of them, without DC Scores, they would not have such an outlet.
DC Scores is the best thing that has happened to the kids in need in Washington D.C.
DC scores helps so many kids and communities thrive. Professional, energetic and passionate. I support DC scores because of their never ending ability to make a difference one child and one community at a time!
DC SCORES is integral to so many school children's lives here in Washington, DC. They are providing our youth with invaluable opportunities to join teams - in turn building trusted relationship with their peers, teachers and coaches. May DC SCORES continue to grow and flourish in our nation's capitol!
They are one of the only organizations to combine sports and the arts and they are changing the lives of thousands of kids in DC - it has been truly amazing to witness.
This organization works to help the whole child, not just the heart, not just the brain, not just the legs--but the entire person. The saddest part is that it cannot help all the children it would like to help, and that there are so many children who desperately need their support.
DC Scores is one of the best nonprofit organizations that I am affiliate with in the nation. I have witnessed how it has changed the lifes of you kids. The kids develop confidence, a passion to help their communities, a love for soccer and an amazing skill in expressing themselves. I simply love the staff, coaches, teachers and board of directors.