Awards day - DC SCORES wins twice in one morning

Written by Jake Lloyd
Communications Manager

This morning was special for DC SCORES. By the time staff members walked into the office, our social media channels were blowing up.

We had received two huge honors in a matter of minutes. Talk about starting the week off right.

The first one we knew about. For the fourth time, the Catalogue for Philanthropy chose DC SCORES for inclusion in its annual catalogue celebrating the best nonprofits in Washington, DC. We have now been picked for the catalogue all four times we've been eligible and applied.

This is a tremendous testament to our continued work with kids -- now 2,200 served annually -- in communities across the District.

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Minutes later, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement chose DC SCORES as the winner of its 2017 Advancement in Management (AIM) Award. The AIM for Excellence Award Competition is an annual award presented to a Washington, DC metropolitan area nonprofit organization for outstanding achievement in organizational management.

This is what Susan Leon Seemann, an AIM Award Selection Committee Member, had to say about DC SCORES:

“I was blown away by the deliberate process that DC SCORES has attacked each of their deficiencies. They understand no nonprofit is perfect, embrace their imperfections, come up with a way to improve them, measure their results, and make adjustments based on the results. This is the epitome of excellence in management and what this award is about."

DC SCORES is thrilled to have received such distinguished awards and looks forward to continuing to grow and strive to serve every child in DC in need of our year-round programming.

"These are both incredible honors," said Executive Director Bethany Rubin Henderson. "They are a testament to the work our staff, board of directors, and coaches put in to make DC SCORES a model kids-serving organization in Washington, DC. We look forward to continuing our growth as a program and also from a management standpoint as we move into our 24th year in the District."

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About DC SCORES
DC SCORES goes where kids in need are and creates neighborhood teams that give kids the confidence and skills to succeed on the playing field, in the classroom, and in life.

Vision
We envision a DC where every child – no matter their family income – experiences the joys of childhood: sports, arts, service, and being part of a team. Where every child – no matter their family circumstances – is empowered to find academic success and grow into an emotionally and physically healthy teen and adult. Where every neighborhood supports and celebrates its children and their accomplishments on and off the playing field.

Model 
DC SCORES’ school-based, team-based, whole child programming — delivered through free after-school programs and summer camps facilitated by trained youth development professionals — intentionally integrates soccer, poetry, and service-learning to help low-income 3rd-8th graders throughout the District build physical fitness, find their voice, improve their literacy, increase school engagement, and strengthen ties to their community.

History 
Julie Kennedy, a former teacher at Marie Reed Learning Center, invented this complementary combination of activities in 1994 when she began working with a group of 15 girls with little to do after school. Ms. Kennedy learned that the team-centered relationships built on the soccer field translated into poetry workshops, and the development of teamwork and leadership prepared students to act as agents of change in their communities through service-learning projects.

America SCORES 
The program quickly expanded throughout DC, and in 1999 Kennedy began sites in Boston and Chicago, thus creating America SCORES, headquarters to 13 programs across the United States and Canada: Bay Area, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New England, New York, Portland, St. Louis, Seattle, Vancouver, and Washington, DC.

Visit www.DCSCORES.org to learn more, donate, and/or volunteer.

DC SCORES chosen as finalist for 501cTech Technology Impact Award

DC SCORES is proud to announce that we've been selected as a finalist for a Technology Impact Award. The awards are given every year by 501cTech, which "delivers sustainable technology solutions for nonprofits serving the common good."

DC SCORES was chosen by a panel of judges as a finalist from 29 applications. As a finalist in the $500,000-$2 million budget category along with Potomac Riverkeeper, we will present about our technology innovations on Oct. 18 at Blackboard's office in the District.

The judges will then select a winner and runner-up from each category, which will be announced on Nov. 7 at the Celebration of Technology event. All four finalist organizations will be recognized at the celebration.

The news validates several changes DC SCORES has made over the past year to streamline both internal and external communications in an effort to more smoothly run our program for 1,500 youth. A few of our technological innovations include:

• Using technology to provide flexible coach trainings in recognition of variable teacher schedules for our 150-plus coaches. This fall, we have added video tutorials explaining different aspects of our curriculum and a comprehensive coaches handbook.

• Using Blackboard Connect (a digital mass notification system), which increased our coach training attendance by 50 percent

• Using internal, online site visit forms allowed program team leaders to get real-time observations from which to make immediate program troubleshooting decisions.

• Thanks to digital media engagement, DC SCORES staff experienced a cohesive engagement internally and externally in ways that they wouldn't otherwise - and all staff now feel connected to external communication of our impact. Several staff members Tweet as DC SCORES from different events and conference they're at.

Check back with us after Oct. 18 to see whether we won the award. In the meantime, see how DC SCORES is using social media and technology on a daily basis to communicate the impact of our Arts/Athletics/Academics model by starting at our website and visiting any of our seven different external platforms.

DC SCORES volunteer Francesco Amorosino receives Mayor's Community Service Award

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, Francesco Amorosino visited the Mayor's Ceremonial Room at the John A. Wilson to receive a reward he wasn't sure he deserved.

Of course, that was just Francesco's innate humility -- instilled in the 17-year-old by his parents, Mary and Roberto, who were on hand to see Francisco celebrated for his volunteerism through DC SCORES.

"I'm just here to represent DC SCORES," Francesco said after having his picture taken with Mayor Vincent Gray. "It's not really my award -- it's for DC SCORES."

As an organization, we couldn't be prouder to be represented by Francesco, who was one of six awardees at the second annual Mayor's Community Service Awards put on by our partner Serve DC. For over a year, Francesco, a senior at the Washington International School, has been an outstanding volunteer soccer referee for DC SCORES.

Francesco, who lived in Rome for 14 years, moved to the District three years ago and lives in Upper Northwest. However, since learning about DC SCORES and volunteering initially at our Jamboree! spring event, he's made a concerted effort to referee soccer games all over the city -- particularly in wards 7 and 8 east of the Anacostia River.

In other words, as far away from his home and familiar surroundings as possible.

"Seeing only one side of DC doesn't give you a complete picture," Francesco said earlier this fall. "I like coming to the east side (of the river) because it helps me get to know a little better the city I live in.

"I also love the passion the kids put into all of their games."

Francesco has gone far and beyond any volunteering hours quota at his school. He has extended himself into communities that he's never visited and has handled with aplomb DC SCORES game days that didn't go as planned. 

A couple stand out:

Last spring, Francesco refereed a game at Noyes Education Campus between the Wolfpack and Beers Elementary School. Unfortunately, Noyes' field hadn't been mowed in weeks, leaving the grass extremely high. Francesco did an excellent job of encouraging the elementary school kids -- with grass up to their knees -- to continue playing hard and not get frustrated. Everyone had a great time.

This fall, there was a rare occasion when we didn't have soccer goals at Wheatley Education Campus for their game against Perry Street Prep. Again, Francesco handled the adverse situation calmly, explained to the kids how the game would be played, and took charge of a very successful and enjoyable experience for both schools -- even without goals. 

Those are just a pair of game days where Francesco visited a new school without any preconceived notions about the students or the community and represented DC SCORES in the best possible manner. Francesco made sure to interact with students, coaches, parents and community members, and always made the soccer games enjoyable learning experiences for the youth involved.

"I really like meeting the kids," Francesco said a couple months ago. "They're good fun and I like helping them understand a bit about the game."

On Tuesday, Francesco reiterated how much he enjoys being around DC SCORES youth.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the kids," he said, clutching the glass trophy. "It's all for them."

Thank you, Francesco, for your dedication to DC SCORES youth. Your friends at Noyes, Wheatley, and so many other schools throughout the District thank you for making their game day experiences so enjoyable.

Interested in volunteering like Francesco? Email volunteerdc@americascores.org or visit www.DCSCORES.org.

DC SCORES Athletic Director Kenny Owens receives Community Leadership Award

A DC SCORES staff member has won yet another award (see the full list).

The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) has selected DC SCORES Athletic Director Kenny Owens to receive a 2012 PCFSN Community Leadership Award. The award is given annually to individuals who improve the lives of others within their community by providing or enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activities, fitness or nutrition-related programs.

This is the second prestigious award Owens has received in 2012. In March, he was one of 13 recipients nationwide of a ‘Let’s Move and Physical Activity Champion of Change’ award and visited the White House to speak on a panel. For the award, Owens wrote a blog about his passion for youth development through soccer in DC.  

Now, Owens has received another award honoring him for his commitment to the DC community through running the DC SCORES soccer program for over 800 youth. Owens has been the Athletic Director since 2006 and is responsible for overseeing and organizing elementary and middle school soccer leagues each spring and fall and summer camps in addition to training coaches.

“It is our pleasure to present this award to Kenny Owens,” said Shellie Pfohl, executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. “Individuals like Kenny are working tirelessly to encourage physical activity and proper nutrition to positively impact the health of their communities. Together we are all working to make our nation a healthier one.”

This year, the President’s Council presented the Community Leadership Award to 47 individuals across the country for making sports, physical activity, fitness and nutrition-related programs available in their communities.

About the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN)

PCFSN promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the President who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information about PCFSN, visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President’s Challenge Physical Activity, Nutrition & Fitness Awards Program or the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

DC SCORES Executive Director Amy Nakamoto honored as Meyer Foundation Exponent Award winner

DC SCORES Executive Director Amy Nakamoto is being honored and highlighted as one of the Washington, DC, area’s most influential executive directors.

Nakamoto is one of three recipients of the Meyer Foundation’s Exponent Awards, created in 2006 to “recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of some of the DC region’s most talented, visionary, and effective nonprofit executives — and to provide funds to sustain and further develop their leadership and their organizations.”

Not only will the award bring tremendous recognition to Nakamoto and the work being done by DC SCORES, but it comes with a two-year grant of $100,000 to support leadership development and capacity building.

In short, this huge accomplishment for Nakamoto — who has served as Executive Director since 2006 and has grown DC SCORES in size, quality of programming and reputation in the communities served — will have a long-lasting impact on the organization and be invaluable as we strive to expand and provide the combination of arts, athletics and academics for every deserving student in the District.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from the Meyer Foundation,” Nakamoto said. “While the award goes to the Executive Director, I credit an incredible staff team here at DC SCORES who have dedicated just as much time, effort and passion toward our mission as I have. I also am fortunate to have extremely supportive and engaged board members.”

Nakamoto received the Exponent Award along with Manny Hidalgo of the Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and Lecester Johnson of the Academy of Hope.

“Despite the challenging economy, each of these leaders has exhibited creativity and perseverance in expanding the reach and impact of their organization’s work,” Meyer Foundation President and CEO Julie Rogers said in the official news release.

“We are honored to recognize three visionary and talented leaders who are working to address some of our region’s most urgent and compelling needs.”

The Meyer Foundation has been one of DC SCORES’ longest and most consistent supporters, providing funding for programming since 1997.

"I credit the Meyer Foundation for continually promoting the nonprofit sector and its leaders,” Nakamoto said. “They truly understand the social and economic impact nonprofits have on the community and they choose to invest in the longevity of successful organizations.

“I am grateful for their incredible support of DC SCORES over the years.”

Nakamoto has been the recipient of a handful of exclusive honors the past few years for her leadership of DC SCORES and in the nonprofit community. For a list of her most recent awards visit the DC SCORES website.

For more information about the Meyer Foundation's commitment to serving nonprofits, visit http://www.meyerfdn.org/