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MissionAmerica SCORES inspires urban youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world.

VisionAmerica SCORES envisions a world where all youth find their voice, achieve their goals, and unleash their full potential.

Our Unique ApproachAmerica SCORES partners with urban schools to provide a high quality, team-based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service-learning. Our innovative approach improves students’ health, academic achievement and civic engagement.

HistoryThe America SCORES model was developed in 1994 in Washington, DC by Julie Kennedy, a public school teacher concerned that her students, lacking constructive afterschool options, were at risk of gang activity and other dangers after class. Turning to her experience as an athlete, she began teaching her class soccer after school. In bad weather, she turned to her other passion — poetry — and began teaching her students how to write and perform poems. Soon, she noticed her students getting more engaged in class, performing better aca-demically, and spending more time being physically active. By adding a service-learning element based on a student-led neighborhood service project, Julie saw that her students developed confidence and learned that they could affect

change in their community. Schools across DC took notice and the program expanded citywide. In 1999, America SCORES grew to a national organization. Today America SCORES impacts more than 7,500 youth each year, in over 140 public schools in fifteen cities nationwide: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington DC and West Contra Costa (CA). More than 44,000 urban youth have benefited from the unique programming of America SCORES.

To donate, or for more information, please call212-868-9510 or [email protected]

INSPIRING LEADERS OF TOMORROW

America’s youth face serious challenges:

More than 14 million children are left unsupervised every day afterschool.

According to the Centers for Disease Control 1 in 3 kids in the US is over-weight or at risk of obesity. Children from poor families are twice as likely to be obese as children from families in a higher socioeconomic bracket.

1 in 3 fourth grade students reads below grade level.

Students who spend no time in extracurricular activities are 49% more likely to use drugs and 37% more likely to become teen parents.

Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50%less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, or engage in destructive behavior.

THE NEED


GoalEnthusiastically we’ll scream In the middle of the field, Leaving behind the effort And profound love we feel. With perseverance we’ll achieve, The challenge we face today, Because we’re a team full of dreams, Enthusiasm and eagerness to win. Hooray for our team That will always try to be The very best there is to beat. Soccer sounds pretty good indeed. For me it is the sport that lives in my heart. Players to the Field! Soccer is our pride In the field we’ll demonstrate With effort and perseverance We’ll show that we are great.

Karla Z. Age 9 America SCORES Milwaukee

THE APPROACH


If I Were KingIf I were a king I would have a castle and a moat And a great golden coat And a farm with three-hundred- Twenty-two goats.

If I were a king I would wear a crown upon my head, Sleep on a soft feathery bed And my entire kingdom would be well fed.

If I were a king There’d be no starvation, We’d all have a five month paid vacation And we’d all have a higher education.

If I were a king War would be no more, And each family would have a house With a roof and a door.

Although I’m no king and For now this is a dream. Maybe, someday, my ideas Will reign supreme.

Anika B. Age 11 America SCORES Seattle

1. We create teams through the sport of soccer.

2. We bring these teams into the classroom to discover their voice through poetry.

3. As a team, the poet-athletes learn to use their voices to make change in their communities.

The result is a team of children who experience success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

Academic AchievementStudents who participate in America SCORES demonstrate significant improvement in creative and expository writing and reading comprehension.

HealthStudents who participate in America SCORES show increased aerobic capacity and reduced BMI (2% for students initially classified as overweight).

Positive Youth DevelopmentAmerica SCORES poet-athletes show a substantial increase in compassionate behavior, responsibility, leadership and community awareness.

OUR IMPAC T


Standing Tall As A TreeIn this world people do bad things. Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree. People want to steal, and kill. Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree. People want to lie, and don’t believe in God. Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree. People want to drop out of school And not get a good education. Not me, I’m standing tall as a tree. None of those things make us big I see. So I’m going to stay rooted and grow, Tall as a tree.

Khalfani M. Age 10 America SCORES St. Louis

Leadership GivingOur premiere recognition club, the America SCORES Leadership Giving Society is comprised of friends who share the belief that all youth deserve an opportunity to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. Any individual who provides an annual outright gift or gifts totaling $1,000 or more in a 12-month period is recognized in the Leadership Giving Society.

President’s Circle $25,000 Inspire teams to lead healthy lives, become

engaged students and community leaders.

Board’s Circle $10,000 Enable more teachers to become coaches,

facilitating relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

Director’s Circle $5,000 Transform an empty school lot into an

America SCORES outdoor classroom and playing field.

Coach’s Circle $2,500 Provide a year-long coach...

and life-long lessons.

Leadership Circle $1,000 Enable one child to join a team, find

her/his voice and make a difference in their community.

JOIN THE TEAM


We are America SCORESSharing is caring Be a good friend and captain Pass the ball to teammate

Leadership on fire It spreads out onto the streets Burns all in its path

We are America SCORES

We will reach our goal Working together we score We are committed

Teamwork is respect Try your best to be captain Communication


America SCORES Teamwork, winners care for you SCORES is helpful friends

Try your best to play Be helpful to your teammates We care for the game


We are poet-athletes Together we can achieve more Because we are America SCORES!

Boys Team 2 America SCORES Chicago

Approximately 7,500 youth served annually

Over 150 public elementary and middle schools

500 public school teachers

Thousands of volunteers

15 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington DC and West Contra Costa (CA)

OUR REACH


The Playgrounds of LifeSwings of sadness Swings of gladness Today I am a rusted swing Tomorrow I am a swing that sings Some days it’s waiting on the bench Other days it’s playing ball all day Little kids play in the sand It’s like they are playing in a band Big kids can reach the bars Later they reach for the stars Teens play on the courts So they can get better at their sports Adults sit and talk When they should probably take a walk Children need to remind the adults how to play So they feel young for another day When kids play they scream And for the adults it’s like a dream There is no other place like the Playground of life…

Anthony S. Age 10 America SCORES

Every boy and girl who has kicked a soccer ball, created a poem, and helped out with a community project through America SCORES has had a chance to learn lessons that reach far beyond these activities. Lessons like how to express themselves, how to recognize their innate worth, and how to develop the faith that they can make a positive difference in this world.

James Earl Jones Actor


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