What an impact The Michael Sadler Foundation's GameChang3rs program has made on the people of West Michigan! What could be more impactful than teaching young children about building their legacies from age 7 and reinforced over the course of several years of elementary school? The GameChang3rs Program reaches thousands of students every year - untold numbers through the ripple effect. In a world where it's far too easy to only think about oneself, GameChang3rs' high school mentors teach younger children look inward to start building their own legacies, but also to look outward and think about others and how their lives impact the people and world around them. The Michael Sadler Foundation's GameChang3rs program is a remarkable organization that changes lives for the better.
The Michael Sadler Foundation is a fantastic nonprofit that inspires kids to be the best versions of themselves. It encourages excellence, growth, and kindness. It is run by very kind and smart people who are determined to make the world a better place! I have been a volunteer for the program for three years now, and it has been an amazing experience. I was a GameChangers ambassador in high school, and through the trainings and sessions with the kids I learned so much. I was able to grow my leadership skills and learned what it means to be a mentor. I also could see how much I was helping the kids grow and find the joy in being great little humans!
This nonprofit was created to honor a very special person who lost his life in 2016, but the impact that this foundation has had since Michael's passing has been paramount. This foundation aims to start at the ground level with students as young as second grade, inspiring them to develop strong character, make good choices, and become socially and emotionally engaged to build impactful legacies. These lessons are designed and executed by high school students, so the trickle down effect of this design is brilliant. It is creating a community of young people who want to devote their time to bettering the lives of the next generation.
The Michael Sadler Foundation supports GameChang3rs and GameChang3rs not only provides a two-year leadership program for top high school candidates from diverse backgrounds, it takes these leaders full circle allow them to bring Michael's rare blend of top tier academics, humor, service to younger students who then in turn can aspire to become GameChang3rs themselves. K-12 students don't want to hear about how to be a great kid from their teachers, but their high school peers make for the perfect mentors. There is an incredible POSITIVE vibe across our school when it's a GameChang3r visitation day and we just can't wait until they visit again!
Dr. Susan Gutierrez
Northern Trails 5/6 Principal
Proud Mom of a '21 Ambassador
2003 Michigan Teacher of the Year
I have been very fortunate to work with GameChang3rs which is a program with the Michael Sadler Foundation. In this program, juniors and seniors from Forest Hills Northern High School train to be ambassadors of the program and work with 2nd , 4th and 6th graders in the Forest Hills School system. It is amazing the impact they have on these students. In this program, our ambassadors make a two year commitment and work with our students on developing a strong character, becoming socially and emotionally engaged, and building impactful legacies. They are inspired by Mike Sadler's legacy and his Six Pillars: Education, Goals, Integrity, Compassion, Friends, and Humor, and these are a part of each lesson. I have been privileged to be a part of this program as a coordinator and have seen first hand the impact of this program on both our ambassadors and the 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders. The relationships they build with each other throughout the year is incredible and builds a base for them not only as they meet monthly but throughout their lives. Our ambassadors are model students with strong characters who live the six pillars. They are a part of not only GameChang3rs, but many activities in the community and reflect the values of the program in their daily lives. It is an excellent program which impacts so many in our schools and our community.
GameChangers is such a phenomenal program. Working as a school counselor, I believe that a young person can never have enough positive role models in their life. GameChangers fosters relationships and connections … and helps all students to be seen, heard, and feel valued.
GameChang3rs is a fabulous program that builds communication, leadership, and mentoring skills for high school juniors and seniors who work with 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th graders. The younger students learn lessons involving goal setting, working hard, integrity, compassion, and humor that were inspired by Mike’s philosophy. High school students meet in classrooms a minimum of 6 times during the school year.
I honestly have nothing but good things to say about the Michael Sadler foundation. Throughout my time working as a volunteer in the GameChang3rs program, I’ve learned so much about myself and the importance of good relationships and the connections you make with everyone that you meet. It’s been such an amazing opportunity to have at the age that I am and I’m so excited to do it again next year!
Inspired by the life of Michael Sadler, this foundation is based on the incredible character and accomplishments Michael achieved in his life. I was a part of the GameChang3rs program which is based on character-building and social-emotional learning competencies that are so needed in our schools today. The work that is done with our high school students to deliver quality lessons and activities to younger students, is unparalleled. The younger students absolutely love their high school mentors and look forward to each visit. The high school ambassadors gain the experience of leading kids through interactive and engaging activities to build empathy, compassion, self-confidence, and kindness among other important qualities and characteristics. This program is truly a "Game Chang3r" for all of the students involved.
I have personally experienced watching a GameChang3rs meeting at one of our local schools. The meetings are led by high school seniors talking to 5th and 6th graders about setting goals, responsibilities, and taking charge of their own destinies as best they can. These kids are given the tools to make this happen. I wish there were more programs like this in all schools. Perhaps our kids would become better citizens because of the values set by the Michael Sadler Foundation.
I chose to Volunteer for this foundation being a MSU fan and meeting Karen. I support this foundation to carry on Mike’s legacy and always going above and beyond for everyone. I think it’s important for what they are doing to help teach students. It’s a great foundation and I know Mike would be so happy to see the work that’s happening!
As an Ambassador of GameChang3rs I grew in every way as a person. I loved mentoring the younger kids and seeing their faces light up when we walked into the classroom. Teaching kids how to build their legacies using the 6 pillars made me stronger because I was learning to be more aware of each pillar in my own life at the same time.
The Michael Sadler foundation has done some great work in the area of integration of character, social and emotional health in the learning process. The Game Chang3rs program utilizes high school juniors and seniors to take these messages into the elementary schools in our district. The program emphasizes positive choices, the value of good character and gives students tools to maintain good emotional health. It's a win-win as it also gives the high school "Ambassadors" the experience and leadership skills necessary and fosters engagement in a program that takes them into the educational community.
The Michael Sadler Specialists camp is a high quality, one day camp that is subsidized by the Michael Sadler Foundation and makes expert training available to a wide range of individuals in a relaxed setting. The technical training aspect is run by Jamie Kohl's, the premier instructor of specialists in the country. What is special about the camp is that there is a focus on character, academics and community involvement. It can be very impactful for the campers to hear life lessons from individuals that are former and current college and professional athletes.
The courage to turn personal loss into opportunity for others may be the kindest and heartfelt of pursuits. There is no better example then the Michael Sadler Foundation. The Foundation inspires by example, leads with integrity and moves forward with sharp but simple focus by serving others in Michaels memory through community fundraisers and camps, such as the Michael Sadler Kicking Camp. This camp is annually well attended by those whom receive the highest quality coaching available. In a year when no one would blame Karen and her Team of Volunteers for "Punting" on 2020, the Camp was retrofitted and masked to meet the strictest health standards and went off without a hiccup.
Look forward to watching this Foundation continue to inspire in the name of a remarkable young man
I have been a volunteer for the Gamechang3rs program within theMichael Sadler Foundation for just a short time, but have to say how impressed I am with the program on so many levels! With all of the pressures our young students are exposed to in this day and age, we need a program like Gamechang3rs more than ever! This program teaches kids the importance of doing the right thing, valuing education, and being a GOOD PERSON in all situations. And the benefits are two-fold...SO valuable for the young students learning and also valuable for the high school students who are getting wonderful experience while teaching the lessons! If you re looking for a fantastic program to support...here it is!
The Michael Sadler Foundation honors the memory of a young man who exemplified character and excelled in the classroom and on the football field. This Foundation awards scholarships to deserving young adults. It also, through a program called GameChangers, encourages students from second grade through high school to create a positive legacy and set an example for other people. The program has been well received, and specifically earns praise for having trained students act as "ambassadors" for younger students.
Wow - what can I say. It is amazing what this foundation has done in such a short time. From recognizing scholar athletes with scholarships to creating a program, GameChang3rs, that is designed to give students tools that will help them develop strong character, make good choices, and become socially and emotionally engaged. What a wonderful way to pay tribute to Michael's legacy and to give an invaluable experience to today's youth!
I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact these high school students are able to have on elementary and middle school students in our community. They are teaching them about what it means to make a good impression, have integrity, be a good communicator, and to leave a legacy by being kind to others. I can't say enough good things about this program. It is going to impact so many young people and in turn create individuals in our community who take initiative and seek out opportunities to do good without any expectations of entitlement or reward.
The Michael Sadler Foundation and GameChang3rs have been an absolute blessing for me. For the past year, I have been meeting with 2nd grade classrooms in Forest Hills and teaching them about building legacies through our model Michael Sadler. The kids that I meet with are ecstatic when we come in, and they love learning and growing with us. It has taught me so much about myself and about others and I am forever grateful that I got this opportunity to join such a wonderful program! - Andrew Wade
Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of serving as an ambassador for the Michael Sadler Foundation’s ‘GameChang3r’ program. The leadership and organization of the program, made possible by Mrs. Sadler among others, is far superior to any other program I’ve been apart of. It feels great being able to make such an impact in the lives of young students!
Great work from this foundation. The leaders and volunteers are very authentic and dedicated to making a positive difference in the world.
This is currently my second year as a Game Chang3rs ambassador for the Michael Sadler Foundation. I absolutely love being a part of this program and getting the opportunity to meet other classmates, work with teachers, and most of all, work with kids! I’ve enjoyed every chance I’ve had to be involved with Game Chang3rs and can’t wait to see this program continue to grow!
I volunteered to help this foundation with an event and developed such respect for what they do and how they do it that I volunteered for two more after that. Now I'm on board to help with all local events.
The Michael Sadler Foundation has existed for about 18 months, and it's growing quickly. Its mission is to create and support awards that celebrate academic excellence, athletic achievement, character strength and leadership in student athletes.
They sponsor several fundraising events to raise money to endow annual scholarships (one is awarded at Forest Hills Northern High School , for example), and they sponsor a football Specialist Camp for aspiring kickers and punters who hope to play in college. They also sponsor a Battle of the Hills volleyball tournament.
What I really like about this organization is that every award or program they sponsor focuses on the importance of strong character. Even at the Specialist Camp they had football players who had played with Mike at MSU talking about specific things he did that showed strong character. At least 25% of each program is devoted specifically to empowering the kids with ways to demonstrate character. They give kids intangible tools to become better people, while also teaching them tangible skills that relate to a sport or academics.
Having seen the good this non-profit is doing, I highly recommend supporting it. They need funding to grow and reach more people with their amazing work.