DC SCORES would like to thank the local and national funders who make our program a success* LEAGUE CHAMPIONS United Planning Organization U.S. Soccer Foundation TEAM CHAMPIONS Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation 21st Century Community Learning Centers via DC Public Schools’ Middle School Matters Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation SCORING CHAMPIONS D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Office of the D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (New Communities Youth Development & Community Wellness) Lois & Richard England Family Foundation Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation Hattie M. Strong Foundation Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. MVPs Herb Block Foundation Capital for Children Commonweal Foundation D.C. Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (OLA) DIRECTV District Sports The Frechette Family Foundation The George Preston Marshall Foundation Morningstar Philanthropic Fund D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Share Fund Soccer ’94 TD Bank (TD Charitable Foundation) FANS Clark Construction Clark-Winchcole Foundation Cresa Washington DC The Andrea L. Custis Family Fund Corina Higginson Trust Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation Robert Nakamoto
Novo Nordisk Inc. George Wasserman Family Foundation PriceWaterhouseCoopers Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) of Greater Washington, D.C. Venable Foundation Verizon Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP SUPPORTERS The Advisory Board Company ALJAZEERA Alston & Bird LLP Arnold & Porter LLP Bingham McCutchen LLP Blackboard Booz Allen Hamilton CenturyLink CIT Group The Covello Foundation Crowell & Moring Foundation Dimick Foundation Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant Thornton LLP Hogan Lovells US LLP Claude and Nancy Keener Charitable Fund Kirkland & Ellis LLP Klausner Bendler + Associates Latham & Watkins LLP Jacob & Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Marriott International, Inc. Meltzer Group Employee Giving Fund Merrill Lynch National Home Library Foundation Sephora USA, Inc. Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Training Resources Group Leslie Wilkes Williams & Connolly LLP Zuckerman Spaeder LLP IN-KIND D.C. Stoddert Soccer League DrinkMore Water
First Book – Washington, DC Modell’s Sporting Goods Penya Barcelonista Washington D.C. Occasions Caterers Office Depot Foundation PVBLIC Foundation Sport and Spine Rehab Starbucks The Taproot Foundation Venable LLP
The Washington Post MATCHING GIFTS Breckinridge Capital Advisors DIRECTV Merrill Lynch The Pew Charitable Trusts Soros Fund Charitable Foundation Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. *Supporters as of 9/1/2014
League of Champions The League of Champions includes all donors who pledge a major gift every year for at least five years. Anonymous Kevin and Rachel Alansky Anthony and Armandina Brown Chris Bruneau David and Brigitte Burgett Graeme Bush and Wendy Rudolph James Cain Ronya Corey and Devon McFadden Andrea Custis Clem Dinsmore Kelly Dragelin Tilden and Mary Edwards Chris Finley and Ursula Savarain Anthony Francavilla Lon Goldstein Steve and Michelle Goodman John Graebner Jay and Cheryl Grauberger Paul Jackson and Tracey Rutnik Omid Jahanbin Cal and Barbara Klausner Sam Klausner Dan and Kathleen Knise
Carl Kravitz and Elizabeth Werner Jamaal Lampkin Peter Leibold and Liz McCloskey Karen Lovitch LMAC Foundation Peter Loge and Zoe Beckerman Don Marshall Jodi and Eldad Moraru John and Livezy More Gina and Howard McMillan, III Amy Nakamoto and Jeremy Edwards Jack and Heather Reagan Stephen Replogle and Skye Earls Chris Richardson Chas and Sara Roades Gene Sachs Dontai Smalls Jan and Angelika Smilek Brendan and Tricia Sullivan Matt Tanielian Darrel Thompson Pierre Vigilance Richard and Batina Washington
SCOOP
Fall 2014 Spring 2013Volume Volume16, 14,Issue Issue1 2
Summer goals!
Be Unique You can be Unique just wait and see. Be who you wanna be Just Believe. You’re the best Yeah, you passed the test. Who cares what your friends say Be different anyway.
DC SCORES serves 1,500 low-income youth in Washington, DC!
During the summer, more than 250 DC youth ages 8-15 participated in four free summer camps across DC. The camps provided daily academic enrichment through the arts, physical activity through soccer, and many exciting and educational field trips (story: p. 4).
Something About Me
Adrianna Y. Aiton Elementary School
IN THIS ISSUE Meet the new Executive Director, p. 2 Seven new school partners, p. 3
10 bottles of funniness
Summer camp highlights, p. 4
A gallon of intelligence
Stories of impact: Alumnus Nana, p. 5
50 teaspoons of helpfulness A handful of foolishness A cough of curiosity A pinch of opportunity Mix it up, put it on a plate, And out comes me!
DC SCORES on national TV, p. 6 Meet new staff members, p. 7
Get Involved!
1224 M Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 www.DCSCORES.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Mamadou D. Marie Reed Elementary School Building Teams, Improving Lives
Sign up to volunteer Make a donation Learn about events
www.DCSCORES.org
CFC #82924
What is DC SCORES?
Executive Director’s Welcome
DC SCORES has a quality, teambased approach providing youth with arts, athletics, and academics – basic elements of a well-rounded childhood. DC SCORES builds teams through after-school programs for 1,500 low-income DC youth at 47 schools by instilling self-expression, physical fitness, and a sense of community. DC SCORES accomplishes this through an innovative model combining poetry and spoken word, soccer, and service-learning year-round. We have worked with more than 8,000 students since our founding in 1994 and we aim to serve EVERY child in the District deserving of a team who does not have one. DC SCORES is an affiliate of America SCORES, with organizations in 14 cities.
Dear DC SCORES supporter, During my first week at DC SCORES, I stood on the sideline of a soccer field cheering on summer campers as they scrimmaged against World Bank employees, one of whom was a former soccer pro -- and won! How’s that for an introduction? That experience confirmed how inspiring and fun our work is. It’s also life-changing, as I learned from meeting the likes of Nana and other high school students who are alumni of our program and who spent the summer instilling life lessons in younger youth as counselors at one of our four camps (p.4). Read Nana’s story on p. 5. By the time you receive this, my first fall season will be well underway. But there’s plenty of season left, and I hope to see you on the sideline any Thursday or Friday at a DC SCORES Game Day across the city, at Fall Frenzy (Oct. 25 at Trinity University), or the Poetry Slam! (Dec. 3 and 4). If you only have an hour of free time this fall, please join me for one of our biweekly High Five Tours — a one-hour overview of DC SCORES’ mission told through stories of individual students like Nana. And bring a friend along! Visit the “Events” section of www.DCSCORES.org for the dates of upcoming tours. Teams drive our success at DC SCORES — in our home office and in all of our 47 schools. I believe it’s critical to get to know each and every person who contributes to a team’s success and the roles they play. That’s why during the upcoming months I hope to connect with many of you, whether in person or electronically, to learn about why you’ve invested in DC SCORES and our vision — why you’re part of our team. I greatly appreciate your support and look forward to working with you!
DC SCORES takes over social media! DCSCORES.blogspot.com Facebook.com/DCSCORES Twitter.com/DCSCORES YouTube.com/DCSCORES LinkedIn.com/ company/dc-scores Instagram.com/dc_scores www.DCSCORES.org
Sincerely,
Bethany Rubin Henderson Executive Director
Our Impact DC SCORES’ impact in 2013-14 (24 weeks of programming) • Physical fitness: 78% of participants enrolled improved their BMI (body mass index) percentile. • School engagement: 78% of participants surveyed said they enjoyed writing something in their own words such as a story, poem, a journal entry, or a letter. • Self-worth: 94% of participants said they had a positive attitude about themselves. • Sense of belonging: 95% of participants felt a part of their community.
SCOOP is written and produced by Communications Manager Jake Lloyd
2
IN THEIR WORDS: “My stepson came from El Salvador the week before school started. He hated school there and was nervous about coming here. Once soccer started, he felt a lot better about being at school and everyone on the team is very supportive and encourages him.” — DC SCORES parent
Get to know new DC SCORES staff Introducing new members of our team
Our newest staff members (from left): Aaron Cannon, Josh Freedholm, Greta Poku-Adjei and Zachary Gomes. See bios at www.DCSCORES.org.
Since the spring, we have added seven new members to our DC SCORES team. They each bring a unique background and experience to our office. On p. 2, Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson introduced herself. While Bethany will lead the organization during our continued growth as we strive to serve every DC child deserving of a team, each new staff member will play a critical role in moving DC SCORES forward. Program Director Kevval Hanna was hired in the spring. Kevval leads and manages all DC SCORES programming, including assessment and delivery. Kevval supervises Greta Poku-Adjei, who is our first Alumni Coordinator. Greta has seven years of experience in afterschool work, including two years as an
AmeriCorps VISTA. She is in charge of developing our older youth program for alumni, a new DC SCORES initiative that aims to extend the benefits of our award-winning elementary and middle school programming to aid in the transition process for eighth graders as they move on to high school. John Guinan, a native Washingtonian, is our new Development Manager. John comes from a Fortune 500 IT and Management Consulting Firm and has also worked for Peace Players International and Home Run Baseball Camp. His new office mate is Josh Freedholm, who returns to DC SCORES five years after a year as a VISTA to be our first Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator. In the last few years, Josh taught at one of our schools, Powell Elementary, as well as in Mexico. Aaron Cannon and Zachary Gomes are our newest Coach Across America AmeriCorps members. Zach is fresh off serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine; Aaron, a DC native, was a standout student-athlete at Central Christian College, where he received All-America nominations playing basketball. Learn more about our staff and board at www.DCSCORES.org (“About Us” section).
DC SCORES Staff Bethany Rubin Henderson Executive Director Lyndsey Miller-Vierra Senior Director of Operations Katrina Owens Senior Director of Programs Daniel Meloy Senior Director of Development & Communications Aaron Cannon Soccer Coordinator Carlos Fonseca Program Manager — Soccer Operations Josh Freedholm Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Zachary Gomes Soccer Coordinator Kevval Hanna Program Director Sean Hinkle Program Director for Quality Jacqui Kemp Program Manager — Training & Events Rachel Klepper Writing Coordinator Jake Lloyd Communications Manager Greta Poku-Adjei Alumni Coordinator
DC SCORES Student Work Inside of me I hear music Inside of me I hear music Bouncing in my head like a drum in a parade
Inside of me, I hear music I hear elephants stomping on the ground I can hear gorillas hitting their chests.
Or a clarinet performance on stage live.
Inside of me, I hear music
Inside of me, I hear music
I hear all the people singing in their own language.
A thousand people screaming their favorite song. I see people saying I have a dream of freedom.
Of a family celebrating their birthdays.
Jefferson C. Bancroft Elementary School
Jessica Trevelyan Grants Manager Keith Tucker Soccer Specialist Libby Watkins Program Coordinator — Monitoring & Evaluation
Phone: 202.393.6999 Email: firstinitiallastname @americascores.org Fax: 202.393.0655 Read staff bios at www.DCSCORES.org (About Us section)
7
DC SCORES organizational highlights
Manchester United runs clinic for DC SCORES alumni
Student wows national television audience with performance
In mid-July, DC SCORES alumni in high school got a special treat when coaches from Manchester United visited and ran a clinic for them before the soccer club’s friendly match with Inter Milan. During an energetic afternoon at Tubman Elementary School, the coaches led a series of drills aimed at improving on-field communication, getting off shots in the penalty box, and much more. “It was exciting because they were teaching us stuff that they also teach professional players,” Jose Q. said afterward. “It almost felt like we were able to step inside the shoes of a professional soccer player.” Added Ariana R., “I felt like this is like a one-time thing and you have to put everything out on the field.”
April 7 had been a long day already for Xavier C., 10, when he entered MSNBC’s studio around 10 p.m. After spending most of the day exploring New York City, the DC SCORES student had been a star of the America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! at the Stock Exchange along with students from SCORES’ 13 other programs throughout the U.S. Now, he was a special guest on The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell alongside America SCORES Executive Director Holly O’Donnell. Xavier was a natural on TV, describing his passion for DC SCORES and then performing his powerful poem for the primetime audience. The clip of the show received more than 1,600 likes and 200 shares on the show’s Facebook page. You can watch it at bit.ly/XavierCrowell.
12th Annual DC SCORES Cup raises more than $120,000
With the 32 different T-shirt colors and ubiquitous action across a large expanse of turf and grass, June 14’s 12th Annual DC SCORES Cup resembled a SCORES program event. No, there weren’t 1,500 kids on hand like at the Jamboree! two weeks prior, but 500 DC professionals scattered across the pristine fields at the Maryland SoccerPlex during the largest charity soccer tournament in the metropolitan area. The DC SCORES Cup, sponsored by DirecTV, featured two divisions for the first time, each made up of 16 teams. District Sports won the Competitive Division
6
for the second consecutive year in a thrilling, well-played 1-0 win over Clark Construction. Deloitte (pictured) won the inaugural Casual Division championship with a 4-0 victory over Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The tournament raised more than $120,000 for the 1,500 youth we serve, with over $20,000 coming in individual contributions In all, the tournament featured 86 games — with each company guaranteed five games in group play, followed by the semifinals and championship game. In between games, participants enjoyed a healthy and delicious lunch served up by Occasions Caterers — which also had a team in the tournament. The weather was impeccable, but when needed team members got out of the sun under 15 tents; relaxed in chairs and at tables generously donated by Perfect Settings; stayed hydrated thanks to a donation from DrinkMore Water; and got their potassium from bananas donated by Whole Foods. When injuries did occur, Sport and Spine Rehab was on the scene. Don’t miss out on the fun of the DC area’s largest charity soccer tournament. Reserve your company or firm’s spot in the June 20, 2015, Cup by visiting www. DCSCORESCup.org
DC SCORES enters seven new schools This fall, we will continue to serve 1,500 DC youth at 47 District of Columbia Public and Public Charter schools. This year, we are in 29 elementary schools and 18 middle schools in seven of the District’s eight wards, including seven new schools: Eliot-Hine Middle School, Ketcham Elementary School, KIPP DC: NORTHEAST, KIPP DC: QUEST (formerly Arts and Technology Academy), Langley Elementary School, LaSalle-Backus Education Campus, and Thomas Elementary School.
Fall Program Calendar •
Oct. 25: Fall Frenzy, Trinity University
•
Nov. 25: Capital Cup (middle school championships)
•
Dec. 3: Westside Poetry Slam!, Cardozo EC
•
Dec. 4: Eastside Poetry Slam!, H.D. Woodson HS
•
Dec. 5: Last day of programming
Fall 2014 Program Schools Ward 1
Bancroft Elementary School Cardozo Education Campus Cesar Chávez Public Charter Middle School – Chavez Prep* Columbia Heights Education Campus H.D. Cooke Elementary School Marie Reed Elementary School Tubman Elementary School
Ward 2
Garrison Elementary School KIPP DC: WILL Academy* Seaton Elementary School* Thomson Elementary School
Ward 4
Barnard Elementary School* Brightwood Education Campus% Capital City Public Charter School*% LaSalle-Backus Education Campus
Powell Elementary School* Raymond Education Campus*% Truesdell Education Campus%
Ward 5
Imagine Hope Community Charter School — Tolson Campus KIPP DC: NORTHEAST Academy Langley Elementary School Wheatley Education Campus
Ward 6
Eliot-Hine Middle School Jefferson Middle School* Miner Elementary School*
Ward 7
Aiton Elementary School Anne Beers Elementary School Burrville Elementary School C.W. Harris Elementary School César Chávez Public Charter Middle School - Parkside Campus Drew Elementary School* J.C. Nalle Elementary School*
Kelly Miller Middle School KIPP DC: KEY Academy* KIPP DC: QUEST Academy* Thomas Elementary School
Ward 8
Hart Middle School Johnson Middle School Ketcham Elementary School KIPP DC: AIM Academy* Leckie Elementary School* Moten Elementary School Orr Elementary School*
*Denotes schools participating in programing through a grant from The Social Innovation Fund administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to DC SCORES, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and KIPP DC in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. %Denotes school with elementary and middle school programs
3
DC SCORES summer campers learn from the pros
Special visits from soccer professionals highlight summer of enrichment on and off field
Eryck E. and his fellow campers at Bruce Monroe DC SCORES summer camp couldn’t believe their eyes. In front of them on a hot July day, eager to teach them — decked out in a full soccer uniform, too! — stood Javier Zanetti, professional soccer player for Inter Milan. On the afternoon before his team’s friendly match against Manchester United, Zanetti spent time teaching tricks to the campers and then signed autographs. He also answered the loads of questions camp participants had for him. “I (asked) him how long he would practice, because if I wanted to be a soccer player I need to know how I need to train,” Eryck said. Zanetti’s visit was just one highlight of DC SCORES’ four summer camps combining 14 weeks of enrichment for DC youth both on and off the soccer field. More than 250 youth from across Washington, DC, participated in the free camps that were funded in part by the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (New Communities Youth Development & Community Wellness), and individual donors through March’s Couch to Camp Campaign sponsored by Cresa Washington DC. Summer learning and fitness loss is well-documented, particularly in low-income communities where families don’t have the means to send their children to traditional summer camps. Students gain weight faster than during the school year due to inactivity and lose the progress made in school subjects by not engaging
4
their minds. That’s where DC SCORES comes in, providing opportunities to keep the body and mind fresh and active at our four camps — Kelly Miller soccer camp; Marie Reed soccer & arts camp; Bruce Monroe soccer camp; and Tubman soccer camp. “I think it’s important to come to camp this summer because then you can still be learning and if you maybe didn’t come then you would maybe forget a little bit of your skills in school,” said Marie Reed camp participant Eliana P. At Marie Reed’s five-week camp, each day was split into two sections — the arts and soccer. Students learned about a different form of artistic expression each week, including dance, drama and music. One day, kids were asked to design their own record labels. Every lesson was taught by a volunteer professional in that particular art discipline. Then everyone went outside to learn soccer skills and play games. A dozen DC SCORES alumni coached the camp through the DC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The elementary school students would often watch in awe as alumni who play high school soccer showed them tricks and told them about the impact of DC SCORES. Soccer was the main focus at the other three camps, but improved skills and staying physically fit weren’t the only things campers took away from the experience. Soccer brought together kids from many communities, and the youth bonded while sharing the field. Now, they will see Campers went on many field trips to museums, a Clark Construction site, and recognize each and to the swimming pool for lessons! other on Game Days this fall — and maybe show off a few of Zanetti’s teachings. Visit www.flickr.com/photos/dcscorespictures to view our large summer camp photo collection.
Alumnus feature: Nana Asare gives back at summer camp Before college, DC SCORES soccer star embraces mentor role
Nana Asare is more than a month into his life as a student and soccer player at Johnson State College in Vermont, a new step in life that makes him smile and shake his head in mild disbelief. “I’m pretty much excited,” he said this summer. “I guess it feels good to know that I’ve come a long way and accomplished something.” Before Nana flew north, though, he spent a second consecutive summer working as a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) counselor at DC SCORES’ Marie Reed soccer & arts camp. Learning from a high school graduate and DC SCORES alumnus heading to college, camp participants loved being around Nana. But Nana had a more profound impact on one child, Jonathan. It’s hard to believe now, but in elementary school at Brightwood Education Campus, Nana, a Ghana native, was extremely hard-headed and gave his teachers and DC SCORES coaches a difficult time. He sees much of his younger self in Jonathan. Because of the similarities, Nana spent much time and effort during the summer connecting with and mentoring Jonathan. It wasn’t always easy, but Nana was up for the task. “I can say that our chemistry with one another is on a good level,” Nana said. “Sometimes he can test me and I can be like, ‘We’re gonna run laps or do pushups,’ and he does it. He likes to talk about soccer a lot. “Whenever something comes up in his mind, he’ll come and talk to me. Or if he’s having trouble, I’ll be able to straighten him out if I can, if he’s not too stuck up at the moment.
“He’s just been that one kid that I can say I’ve seen myself in when I look at him. I’ve been a knucklehead, I’ve been hard-headed, I’ve been stubborn at his age. It just takes that one person to have you under their wings to guide you the right way and you’ll be good.” Nana is off to college, but the DC SCORES alumni program is alive and well with more than 250 active high school students who volunteer as soccer referees, work at summer camp, hold an annual alumni tournament, and much more. Follow @dcsalumni on Instagram for updates!
Volunteer spotlight: Ted Webne, middle school soccer coach Each month on www.DCSCORES.blogspot.com, we highlight a volunteer who has made a significant impact on the program. One volunteer who stands out is Ted Webne, who coaches soccer at Lincoln Middle School (DC SCORES coaches are paid unless they choose to volunteer). Webne learned about DC SCORES through his friends and quickly got involved. “DC SCORES is an ambassador for the sport that I have a passion for, in the city that I love,” said Webne,
who works at Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy Public School as a Behavior Intervention Specialist. Webne knows from experience the impact playing soccer can have on kids. He enjoys having the opportunity to change lives through the game, saying, “I know first-hand that a commitment to soccer can lead to a lifetime of positive experiences. For this reason, I am confident in the potential for the DC SCORES program to make a difference in all of the lives of the children it serves.” We are looking for volunteers. Whether you’re coaching, reffing games, or lending a hand at an event, you’re making a difference. Visit www.DCSCORES.org and click on the Volunteer link to get involved this fall.
5
DC SCORES summer campers learn from the pros
Special visits from soccer professionals highlight summer of enrichment on and off field
Eryck E. and his fellow campers at Bruce Monroe DC SCORES summer camp couldn’t believe their eyes. In front of them on a hot July day, eager to teach them — decked out in a full soccer uniform, too! — stood Javier Zanetti, professional soccer player for Inter Milan. On the afternoon before his team’s friendly match against Manchester United, Zanetti spent time teaching tricks to the campers and then signed autographs. He also answered the loads of questions camp participants had for him. “I (asked) him how long he would practice, because if I wanted to be a soccer player I need to know how I need to train,” Eryck said. Zanetti’s visit was just one highlight of DC SCORES’ four summer camps combining 14 weeks of enrichment for DC youth both on and off the soccer field. More than 250 youth from across Washington, DC, participated in the free camps that were funded in part by the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (New Communities Youth Development & Community Wellness), and individual donors through March’s Couch to Camp Campaign sponsored by Cresa Washington DC. Summer learning and fitness loss is well-documented, particularly in low-income communities where families don’t have the means to send their children to traditional summer camps. Students gain weight faster than during the school year due to inactivity and lose the progress made in school subjects by not engaging
4
their minds. That’s where DC SCORES comes in, providing opportunities to keep the body and mind fresh and active at our four camps — Kelly Miller soccer camp; Marie Reed soccer & arts camp; Bruce Monroe soccer camp; and Tubman soccer camp. “I think it’s important to come to camp this summer because then you can still be learning and if you maybe didn’t come then you would maybe forget a little bit of your skills in school,” said Marie Reed camp participant Eliana P. At Marie Reed’s five-week camp, each day was split into two sections — the arts and soccer. Students learned about a different form of artistic expression each week, including dance, drama and music. One day, kids were asked to design their own record labels. Every lesson was taught by a volunteer professional in that particular art discipline. Then everyone went outside to learn soccer skills and play games. A dozen DC SCORES alumni coached the camp through the DC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The elementary school students would often watch in awe as alumni who play high school soccer showed them tricks and told them about the impact of DC SCORES. Soccer was the main focus at the other three camps, but improved skills and staying physically fit weren’t the only things campers took away from the experience. Soccer brought together kids from many communities, and the youth bonded while sharing the field. Now, they will see Campers went on many field trips to museums, a Clark Construction site, and recognize each and to the swimming pool for lessons! other on Game Days this fall — and maybe show off a few of Zanetti’s teachings. Visit www.flickr.com/photos/dcscorespictures to view our large summer camp photo collection.
Alumnus feature: Nana Asare gives back at summer camp Before college, DC SCORES soccer star embraces mentor role
Nana Asare is more than a month into his life as a student and soccer player at Johnson State College in Vermont, a new step in life that makes him smile and shake his head in mild disbelief. “I’m pretty much excited,” he said this summer. “I guess it feels good to know that I’ve come a long way and accomplished something.” Before Nana flew north, though, he spent a second consecutive summer working as a Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) counselor at DC SCORES’ Marie Reed soccer & arts camp. Learning from a high school graduate and DC SCORES alumnus heading to college, camp participants loved being around Nana. But Nana had a more profound impact on one child, Jonathan. It’s hard to believe now, but in elementary school at Brightwood Education Campus, Nana, a Ghana native, was extremely hard-headed and gave his teachers and DC SCORES coaches a difficult time. He sees much of his younger self in Jonathan. Because of the similarities, Nana spent much time and effort during the summer connecting with and mentoring Jonathan. It wasn’t always easy, but Nana was up for the task. “I can say that our chemistry with one another is on a good level,” Nana said. “Sometimes he can test me and I can be like, ‘We’re gonna run laps or do pushups,’ and he does it. He likes to talk about soccer a lot. “Whenever something comes up in his mind, he’ll come and talk to me. Or if he’s having trouble, I’ll be able to straighten him out if I can, if he’s not too stuck up at the moment.
“He’s just been that one kid that I can say I’ve seen myself in when I look at him. I’ve been a knucklehead, I’ve been hard-headed, I’ve been stubborn at his age. It just takes that one person to have you under their wings to guide you the right way and you’ll be good.” Nana is off to college, but the DC SCORES alumni program is alive and well with more than 250 active high school students who volunteer as soccer referees, work at summer camp, hold an annual alumni tournament, and much more. Follow @dcsalumni on Instagram for updates!
Volunteer spotlight: Ted Webne, middle school soccer coach Each month on www.DCSCORES.blogspot.com, we highlight a volunteer who has made a significant impact on the program. One volunteer who stands out is Ted Webne, who coaches soccer at Lincoln Middle School (DC SCORES coaches are paid unless they choose to volunteer). Webne learned about DC SCORES through his friends and quickly got involved. “DC SCORES is an ambassador for the sport that I have a passion for, in the city that I love,” said Webne,
who works at Mary Mcleod Bethune Day Academy Public School as a Behavior Intervention Specialist. Webne knows from experience the impact playing soccer can have on kids. He enjoys having the opportunity to change lives through the game, saying, “I know first-hand that a commitment to soccer can lead to a lifetime of positive experiences. For this reason, I am confident in the potential for the DC SCORES program to make a difference in all of the lives of the children it serves.” We are looking for volunteers. Whether you’re coaching, reffing games, or lending a hand at an event, you’re making a difference. Visit www.DCSCORES.org and click on the Volunteer link to get involved this fall.
5
DC SCORES organizational highlights
Manchester United runs clinic for DC SCORES alumni
Student wows national television audience with performance
In mid-July, DC SCORES alumni in high school got a special treat when coaches from Manchester United visited and ran a clinic for them before the soccer club’s friendly match with Inter Milan. During an energetic afternoon at Tubman Elementary School, the coaches led a series of drills aimed at improving on-field communication, getting off shots in the penalty box, and much more. “It was exciting because they were teaching us stuff that they also teach professional players,” Jose Q. said afterward. “It almost felt like we were able to step inside the shoes of a professional soccer player.” Added Ariana R., “I felt like this is like a one-time thing and you have to put everything out on the field.”
April 7 had been a long day already for Xavier C., 10, when he entered MSNBC’s studio around 10 p.m. After spending most of the day exploring New York City, the DC SCORES student had been a star of the America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! at the Stock Exchange along with students from SCORES’ 13 other programs throughout the U.S. Now, he was a special guest on The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell alongside America SCORES Executive Director Holly O’Donnell. Xavier was a natural on TV, describing his passion for DC SCORES and then performing his powerful poem for the primetime audience. The clip of the show received more than 1,600 likes and 200 shares on the show’s Facebook page. You can watch it at bit.ly/XavierCrowell.
12th Annual DC SCORES Cup raises more than $120,000
With the 32 different T-shirt colors and ubiquitous action across a large expanse of turf and grass, June 14’s 12th Annual DC SCORES Cup resembled a SCORES program event. No, there weren’t 1,500 kids on hand like at the Jamboree! two weeks prior, but 500 DC professionals scattered across the pristine fields at the Maryland SoccerPlex during the largest charity soccer tournament in the metropolitan area. The DC SCORES Cup, sponsored by DirecTV, featured two divisions for the first time, each made up of 16 teams. District Sports won the Competitive Division
6
for the second consecutive year in a thrilling, well-played 1-0 win over Clark Construction. Deloitte (pictured) won the inaugural Casual Division championship with a 4-0 victory over Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The tournament raised more than $120,000 for the 1,500 youth we serve, with over $20,000 coming in individual contributions In all, the tournament featured 86 games — with each company guaranteed five games in group play, followed by the semifinals and championship game. In between games, participants enjoyed a healthy and delicious lunch served up by Occasions Caterers — which also had a team in the tournament. The weather was impeccable, but when needed team members got out of the sun under 15 tents; relaxed in chairs and at tables generously donated by Perfect Settings; stayed hydrated thanks to a donation from DrinkMore Water; and got their potassium from bananas donated by Whole Foods. When injuries did occur, Sport and Spine Rehab was on the scene. Don’t miss out on the fun of the DC area’s largest charity soccer tournament. Reserve your company or firm’s spot in the June 20, 2015, Cup by visiting www. DCSCORESCup.org
DC SCORES enters seven new schools This fall, we will continue to serve 1,500 DC youth at 47 District of Columbia Public and Public Charter schools. This year, we are in 29 elementary schools and 18 middle schools in seven of the District’s eight wards, including seven new schools: Eliot-Hine Middle School, Ketcham Elementary School, KIPP DC: NORTHEAST, KIPP DC: QUEST (formerly Arts and Technology Academy), Langley Elementary School, LaSalle-Backus Education Campus, and Thomas Elementary School.
Fall Program Calendar •
Oct. 25: Fall Frenzy, Trinity University
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Nov. 25: Capital Cup (middle school championships)
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Dec. 3: Westside Poetry Slam!, Cardozo EC
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Dec. 4: Eastside Poetry Slam!, H.D. Woodson HS
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Dec. 5: Last day of programming
Fall 2014 Program Schools Ward 1
Bancroft Elementary School Cardozo Education Campus Cesar Chávez Public Charter Middle School – Chavez Prep* Columbia Heights Education Campus H.D. Cooke Elementary School Marie Reed Elementary School Tubman Elementary School
Ward 2
Garrison Elementary School KIPP DC: WILL Academy* Seaton Elementary School* Thomson Elementary School
Ward 4
Barnard Elementary School* Brightwood Education Campus% Capital City Public Charter School*% LaSalle-Backus Education Campus
Powell Elementary School* Raymond Education Campus*% Truesdell Education Campus%
Ward 5
Imagine Hope Community Charter School — Tolson Campus KIPP DC: NORTHEAST Academy Langley Elementary School Wheatley Education Campus
Ward 6
Eliot-Hine Middle School Jefferson Middle School* Miner Elementary School*
Ward 7
Aiton Elementary School Anne Beers Elementary School Burrville Elementary School C.W. Harris Elementary School César Chávez Public Charter Middle School - Parkside Campus Drew Elementary School* J.C. Nalle Elementary School*
Kelly Miller Middle School KIPP DC: KEY Academy* KIPP DC: QUEST Academy* Thomas Elementary School
Ward 8
Hart Middle School Johnson Middle School Ketcham Elementary School KIPP DC: AIM Academy* Leckie Elementary School* Moten Elementary School Orr Elementary School*
*Denotes schools participating in programing through a grant from The Social Innovation Fund administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to DC SCORES, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and KIPP DC in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. %Denotes school with elementary and middle school programs
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What is DC SCORES?
Executive Director’s Welcome
DC SCORES has a quality, teambased approach providing youth with arts, athletics, and academics – basic elements of a well-rounded childhood. DC SCORES builds teams through afterschool programs for 1,500 lowincome DC youth at 47 schools by instilling self-expression, physical fitness, and a sense of community. DC SCORES accomplishes this through an innovative model combining poetry and spoken word, soccer, and service-learning year-round. We have worked with more than 8,000 students since our founding in 1994 and we aim to serve EVERY child in the District deserving of a team who does not have one. DC SCORES is an affiliate of America SCORES, with organizations in 14 cities.
Dear DC SCORES supporter, During my first week at DC SCORES, I stood on the sideline of a soccer field cheering on summer campers as they scrimmaged against World Bank employees, one of whom was a former soccer pro -- and won! How’s that for an introduction? That experience confirmed how inspiring and fun our work is. It’s also life-changing, as I learned from meeting the likes of Nana and other high school students who are alumni of our program and who spent the summer instilling life lessons in younger youth as counselors at one of our four camps (p.4). Read Nana’s story on p. 5. By the time you receive this, my first fall season will be well underway. But there’s plenty of season left, and I hope to see you on the sideline any Thursday or Friday at a DC SCORES Game Day across the city, at Fall Frenzy (Oct. 25 at Trinity University), or the Poetry Slam! (Dec. 3 and 4). If you only have an hour of free time this fall, please join me for one of our biweekly High Five Tours — a one-hour overview of DC SCORES’ mission told through stories of individual students like Nana. And bring a friend along! Visit the “Events” section of www.DCSCORES.org for the dates of upcoming tours. Teams drive our success at DC SCORES — in our home office and in all of our 47 schools. I believe it’s critical to get to know each and every person who contributes to a team’s success and the roles they play. That’s why during the upcoming months I hope to connect with many of you, whether in person or electronically, to learn about why you’ve invested in DC SCORES and our vision — why you’re part of our team. I greatly appreciate your support and look forward to working with you!
DC SCORES takes over social media! DCSCORES.blogspot.com Facebook.com/DCSCORES Twitter.com/DCSCORES YouTube.com/DCSCORES LinkedIn.com/ company/dc-scores Instagram.com/dc_scores www.DCSCORES.org
Sincerely,
Bethany Rubin Henderson Executive Director
Our Impact DC SCORES’ impact in 2013-14 (24 weeks of programming) • Physical fitness: 78% of participants enrolled improved their BMI (body mass index) percentile. • School engagement: 78% of participants surveyed said they enjoyed writing something in their own words such as a story, poem, a journal entry, or a letter. • Self-worth: 94% of participants said they had a positive attitude about themselves. • Sense of belonging: 95% of participants felt a part of their community.
SCOOP is written and produced by Communications Manager Jake Lloyd
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IN THEIR WORDS: “My stepson came from El Salvador the week before school started. He hated school there and was nervous about coming here. Once soccer started, he felt a lot better about being at school and everyone on the team is very supportive and encourages him.” — DC SCORES parent
Get to know new DC SCORES staff Introducing new members of our team
Our newest staff members (from left): Aaron Cannon, Josh Freedholm, Greta Poku-Adjei and Zachary Gomes. See bios at www.DCSCORES.org.
Since the spring, we have added seven new members to our DC SCORES team. They each bring a unique background and experience to our office. On p. 2, Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson introduced herself. While Bethany will lead the organization during our continued growth as we strive to serve every DC child deserving of a team, each new staff member will play a critical role in moving DC SCORES forward. Program Director Kevval Hanna was hired in the spring. Kevval leads and manages all DC SCORES programming, including assessment and delivery. Kevval supervises Greta Poku-Adjei, who is our first Alumni Coordinator. Greta has seven years of experience in afterschool work, including two years as an
AmeriCorps VISTA. She is in charge of developing our older youth program for alumni, a new DC SCORES initiative that aims to extend the benefits of our award-winning elementary and middle school programming to aid in the transition process for eighth graders as they move on to high school. John Guinan, a native Washingtonian, is our new Development Manager. John comes from a Fortune 500 IT and Management Consulting Firm and has also worked for Peace Players International and Home Run Baseball Camp. His new office mate is Josh Freedholm, who returns to DC SCORES five years after a year as a VISTA to be our first Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator. In the last few years, Josh taught at one of our schools, Powell Elementary, as well as in Mexico. Aaron Cannon and Zachary Gomes are our newest Coach Across America AmeriCorps members. Zach is fresh off serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine; Aaron, a DC native, was a standout student-athlete at Central Christian College, where he received All-America nominations playing basketball. Learn more about our staff and board at www.DCSCORES.org (“About Us” section).
DC SCORES Staff Bethany Rubin Henderson Executive Director Lyndsey Miller-Vierra Senior Director of Operations Katrina Owens Senior Director of Programs Daniel Meloy Senior Director of Development & Communications Aaron Cannon Soccer Coordinator Carlos Fonseca Program Manager — Soccer Operations Josh Freedholm Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator Zachary Gomes Soccer Coordinator Kevval Hanna Program Director Sean Hinkle Program Director for Quality Jacqui Kemp Program Manager — Training & Events Rachel Klepper Writing Coordinator Jake Lloyd Communications Manager Greta Poku-Adjei Alumni Coordinator
DC SCORES Student Work Inside of me I hear music Inside of me I hear music Bouncing in my head like a drum in a parade
Inside of me, I hear music I hear elephants stomping on the ground I can hear gorillas hitting their chests.
Or a clarinet performance on stage live.
Inside of me, I hear music
Inside of me, I hear music
I hear all the people singing in their own language.
A thousand people screaming their favorite song. I see people saying I have a dream of freedom.
Of a family celebrating their birthdays.
Jefferson C. Bancroft Elementary School
Jessica Trevelyan Grants Manager Keith Tucker Soccer Specialist Libby Watkins Program Coordinator — Monitoring & Evaluation
Phone: 202.393.6999 Email: firstinitiallastname @americascores.org Fax: 202.393.0655 Read staff bios at www.DCSCORES.org (About Us section)
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DC SCORES would like to thank the local and national funders who make our program a success* LEAGUE CHAMPIONS United Planning Organization U.S. Soccer Foundation TEAM CHAMPIONS Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation 21st Century Community Learning Centers via DC Public Schools’ Middle School Matters Eugene & Agnes E. Meyer Foundation SCORING CHAMPIONS D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Office of the D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (New Communities Youth Development & Community Wellness) Lois & Richard England Family Foundation Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation Hattie M. Strong Foundation Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. MVPs Herb Block Foundation Capital for Children Commonweal Foundation D.C. Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (OLA) DIRECTV District Sports The Frechette Family Foundation The George Preston Marshall Foundation Morningstar Philanthropic Fund D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Share Fund Soccer ’94 TD Bank (TD Charitable Foundation) FANS Clark Construction Clark-Winchcole Foundation Cresa Washington DC The Andrea L. Custis Family Fund Corina Higginson Trust Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation Robert Nakamoto
Novo Nordisk Inc. George Wasserman Family Foundation PriceWaterhouseCoopers Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) of Greater Washington, D.C. Venable Foundation Verizon Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP SUPPORTERS The Advisory Board Company ALJAZEERA Alston & Bird LLP Arnold & Porter LLP Bingham McCutchen LLP Blackboard Booz Allen Hamilton CenturyLink CIT Group The Covello Foundation Crowell & Moring Foundation Dimick Foundation Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant Thornton LLP Hogan Lovells US LLP Claude and Nancy Keener Charitable Fund Kirkland & Ellis LLP Klausner Bendler + Associates Latham & Watkins LLP Jacob & Charlotte Lehrman Foundation Marriott International, Inc. Meltzer Group Employee Giving Fund Merrill Lynch National Home Library Foundation Sephora USA, Inc. Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Training Resources Group Leslie Wilkes Williams & Connolly LLP Zuckerman Spaeder LLP IN-KIND D.C. Stoddert Soccer League DrinkMore Water
First Book – Washington, DC Modell’s Sporting Goods Penya Barcelonista Washington D.C. Occasions Caterers Office Depot Foundation PVBLIC Foundation Sport and Spine Rehab Starbucks The Taproot Foundation Venable LLP
The Washington Post MATCHING GIFTS Breckinridge Capital Advisors DIRECTV Merrill Lynch The Pew Charitable Trusts Soros Fund Charitable Foundation Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. *Supporters as of 9/1/2014
League of Champions The League of Champions includes all donors who pledge a major gift every year for at least five years. Anonymous Kevin and Rachel Alansky Anthony and Armandina Brown Chris Bruneau David and Brigitte Burgett Graeme Bush and Wendy Rudolph James Cain Ronya Corey and Devon McFadden Andrea Custis Clem Dinsmore Kelly Dragelin Tilden and Mary Edwards Chris Finley and Ursula Savarain Anthony Francavilla Lon Goldstein Steve and Michelle Goodman John Graebner Jay and Cheryl Grauberger Paul Jackson and Tracey Rutnik Omid Jahanbin Cal and Barbara Klausner Sam Klausner Dan and Kathleen Knise
Carl Kravitz and Elizabeth Werner Jamaal Lampkin Peter Leibold and Liz McCloskey Karen Lovitch LMAC Foundation Peter Loge and Zoe Beckerman Don Marshall Jodi and Eldad Moraru John and Livezy More Gina and Howard McMillan, III Amy Nakamoto and Jeremy Edwards Jack and Heather Reagan Stephen Replogle and Skye Earls Chris Richardson Chas and Sara Roades Gene Sachs Dontai Smalls Jan and Angelika Smilek Brendan and Tricia Sullivan Matt Tanielian Darrel Thompson Pierre Vigilance Richard and Batina Washington
SCOOP
Fall 2014 Spring 2013Volume Volume16, 14,Issue Issue1 2
Summer goals!
Be Unique You can be Unique just wait and see. Be who you wanna be Just Believe. You’re the best Yeah, you passed the test. Who cares what your friends say Be different anyway.
DC SCORES serves 1,500 low-income youth in Washington, DC!
During the summer, more than 250 DC youth ages 8-15 participated in four free summer camps across DC. The camps provided daily academic enrichment through the arts, physical activity through soccer, and many exciting and educational field trips (story: p. 4).
Something About Me
Adrianna Y. Aiton Elementary School
IN THIS ISSUE Meet the new Executive Director, p. 2 Seven new school partners, p. 3
10 bottles of funniness
Summer camp highlights, p. 4
A gallon of intelligence
Stories of impact: Alumnus Nana, p. 5
50 teaspoons of helpfulness A handful of foolishness A cough of curiosity A pinch of opportunity Mix it up, put it on a plate, And out comes me!
DC SCORES on national TV, p. 6 Meet new staff members, p. 7
Get Involved!
1224 M Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 www.DCSCORES.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Mamadou D. Marie Reed Elementary School Building Teams, Improving Lives
Sign up to volunteer Make a donation Learn about events
www.DCSCORES.org
CFC #82924