My Nonprofit Reviews

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!