Students come together to fight hunger during Global Youth Service Day

Written by Kara Dunford
Communications Intern

Tonight, 17 million children in the United States will go to bed hungry.

This statistic is one of the many that DC SCORES teams from Seaton Elementary School and Thomson Elementary School learned last Friday as part of Global Youth Service Day.

To celebrate the day, children in over 135 countries serve their communities and learn about the world’s most pressing issues. Together with Youth Service America and Sodexo Foundation volunteers, DC SCORES highlighted the work of the Seaton Stingers and Thomson Tigers in understanding childhood hunger through an afternoon of fun activities.

To kick things off, students came together to talk about what it feels like to be hungry.

“You get an ear infection,” offered one student.

While the response provoked a bit of laughter, his answer pointed to the wider effects of hunger - both mental and physical - that are nothing to smile about.

The day’s activities promoted a message of healthy eating and physical activity. Students were divided into teams and rotated through various stations, including a trail mix making station provided by Sodexo that proved to be a hit with the students, and physical fitness stations that challenged the students to show off their athletic skills.

“We’re having fun, but we’re also learning about children who don’t have food,” said Johana S., a fourth-grade student at Thomson.

One of the most powerful stations for me was the arts and crafts table, where students had the chance to design posters to hang in their schools that presented facts about hunger. Though it may seem like a small solution to a large problem, the poster-making project achieved a two-fold purpose: community awareness and action, two central components of the DC SCORES spring service-learning curriculum.

The project made the Stingers and the Tigers aware of the facts about hunger and empowered them to do something about it.

For more sights and sounds of the day and to hear from the students, watch the video above and here. Be sure to stay tuned this spring as elementary and middle schools across the city design and implement service-learning projects!

View Global Youth Service Day photos here. 

13 stories that defined DC SCORES in 2013

It's not too often we take a look back.

We can't afford to. With thousands of students in Washington, DC, still lacking a team to be on (help provide a team by Dec. 31!), the focus is always on doing more — providing more youth at more schools with our high-quality Arts/Athletics/Academics program.

In 2014, we will also ramp up our focus on offering more opportunities for high school youth who have graduated from our formal program to stay engaged.

There's A LOT to look forward to.

But before we close the book on 2013, here's a look (with links) at our hand-picked Top 13 Stories of the year. This was no easy list to create, so please chime in with comments on the stories you think should have been included! And you can always find a list of organizational accomplishments here.

Stories are in chronological order:

13. Poetry flows from supporters close and far during National Poetry Month
For the first time, DC SCORES celebrated National Poetry Month in style — asking staff members, board members, and supporters far and wide to exercise their creative genes and write a poem for us. The results were tremendous. We got a haiku from Chancellor Kaya Henderson; a poem from Councilmember David Grosso; spoken word examples from other youth advocate leaders in DC; and more. The month demonstrated, as we know from watching youth during the fall season, that anyone can create a beautiful piece of poetry when given the freedom to write whatever is on their mind.

12. Kastenny, staff member Anna, and
Christian in New York City!

12. Pair of poet all-stars perform at America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! 
The first week of April, two DC SCORES poets took a very special trip — a train ride to New York City, the Big Apple! Christian Brown of Tubman Elementary School and Kastenny Contreras of Marie Reed Elementary School represented DC at the 7th Annual America SCORES National Poetry SLAM! at the New York Stock Exchange. They were chosen after outstanding performance at our Slam! the previous fall. The students not only spent a weekend exploring New York, but befriended students from America SCORES' 13 affiliate programs and performed brilliantly and courageously under the bright lights. "I love poetry because of the feeling when you speak," Kastenny said.

11. DC SCORES students promote healthy lifestyles during Global Youth Service Day
On a Saturday morning in late April, Columbia Heights was full of energy as a large group of DC SCORES students, staff members, volunteers, and partners from the Sodexo Foundation paraded around the neighborhood delivering a strong message: "NO KID HUNGRY, NO KID HUNGRY." The march was the capper of a morning that focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, with the youth delivering the message and feeling empowered. Through a combination of dancing, fitness tests, and the march, those who came to Global Youth Service Day left feeling inspired to spread the word about being fit and feeling healthy.

10. Kelly Miller students teaching seniors about new
technology as their service-learning project!

10. Students make large impact on communities through service-learning
Each spring, every DC SCORES team dedicates itself to bettering its school or greater community through a service-learning project. The students take the bonds formed during the fall soccer and poetry season and — guided by a detailed curriculum — brainstorm and then implement a project. In the spring of 2013, there was more change throughout the District than ever before. Kelly Miller Middle School students taught seniors how to use modern technology such as smartphones and tablets; Bancroft Elementary School students organized a race in their neighborhood to raise over $1,000 for a local animal shelter; and there were dozens of other incredible projects. What a spring of service!

9. The largest Jamboree! — or any DC SCORES event — ever
Three hours before the beginning of the 18th Annual DC SCORES Jamboree!, staff members and volunteers were setting up soccer goals in the dark at Anacostia Park. That was the preparation time necessary to set up 14 soccer fields that would be home to 128 soccer games during the course of six hours. More than 1,500 people attended the event, which also featured soccer skills stations, relay races, facepainting, a service-learning project competition, and the City Cup championship for elementary schools. The largest event in our program history wouldn't have been possible without the dozens of volunteers and partner organizations who helped it run smoothly throughout the crazy day!

8. Do More 24 (or 48!) — an incredible show of support
On June 6, we asked supporters to give to DC SCORES during Do More 24 — a fundraising drive organized by the United Way. We were participating in the event for the first time, so we were unsure what to expect. The response we received was overwhelming and reaffirmed for us how many people believe in the DC SCORES mission. Nearly 150 people donated during the drive, and more than half of them were first-time donors. Their combined effort provided more than 350 soccer uniforms for DC youth, an incredible performance by our team of supporters. Thank you!!

7. Tournament-record 30 teams participate in DC SCORES Cup
On June 15, more than 500 professionals from the greater DC area converged on the Maryland SoccerPlex for an action-packed day of soccer, camaraderie, and fun for a great cause — the 11th DC SCORES Cup. The DC area's largest corporate soccer tournament grew from 26 to 30 teams and raised an event record $100,000 for our program. While District Sports came away at the end of the day with the large tournament trophy — which they will keep until June 14, 2014 — everyone had a great time on a beautiful day in Gaithersburg, Md. Look for the tournament to continue to grow this year!

6. Just another action-packed day at summer camp!

6. Four summer camps provide enrichment for 250 DC youth 
For a combined 14 weeks during the summer, students in Washington, DC, stayed engaged athletically and artistically through DC SCORES summer camps that were free to participants and open to any students — not just those in the fall and spring program. At four sites, students learned soccer skills, built friendships with kids from other schools from throughout the city, and kept their minds active through artistic activities and a variety of field trips. The camps also kept former DC SCORES participants engaged, as several high school students worked as counselors and served as role models for the younger students. With summer learning loss a critical issue for low-income youth, the camps were vital in keeping participants physically fit and thinking critically until school started again.

5. DC SCORES featured on the front page of The Washington Post
On August 1, DC SCORES was prominently featured on the front page of The Washington Post's Metro section — with a long article and a handful of photos from summer camp. The article shed light on an issue that we think about every day and are tackling head-on with our focus on older youth — the lack of athletic opportunities for girls in the District. The article noted that only four of 15 public high schools in DC have consistent girls soccer teams. "That's insane," Executive Director Amy Nakamoto was quoted. The article was a tremendous marketing piece for us, as emails and phone calls flooded in from people who had previously not heard of the program but now wanted to get involved.

4. DC SCORES chosen for inclusion in Catalogue for Philanthropy
In May, DC SCORES received a great honor when we were chosen for inclusion in the annual Catalogue for Philanthropy as "one of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region." It was the third time we were hand-picked for the catalogue, which since forming in 2003 has helped raise more than $21 million for DC nonprofits. The catalogue, which was released in early November, not only features DC SCORES among 74 organizations highlighted but also has a full-page photo of our program.

3. U-16 DC SCORES team thrives during first season
The idea was born during a summer tournament and evolved into a team that fortified during its first season. DC SCORES coaches Popsie Lewis and Simon Landau created a U-16 soccer team for former and current program participants from seven different schools in the District. For some of the kids, it was a chance to keep playing organized soccer during high school. For the younger kids, it was the opportunity to play against older, tougher competition and get better from it. During the season's last game, the team put together an inspired comeback victory. Since then, they've practiced several times and can't wait for another season together.

2. A Poetry Slam! for the ages
We don't beat around the bush when asked what the best event of the DC SCORES year is. It's the Poetry Slam!, and it never lets spectators down. This year was no different, as there were a record 41 performances during the two-night event, the 16th Annual Slam!. The 5-minute performances by each school highlight all aspects of our program, cover the spectrum of emotions from sad to serious to funny, and highlight the confidence students gain to express their innermost feelings during our three-month fall season. Executive Director Amy Nakamoto called the second night of the Poetry Slam! — the Eastside event — the best she's seen during seven years with the organization. Watch the performances and judge for yourself on the DC SCORES YouTube page.

1. The DC SCORES team grows
It wouldn't be feasible for our program to continue growing while maintaining high-level — and award-winning — programming if not for our incredibly dedicated staff, board of directors and, of course, coaches. And to expand to serve even more students (1,500 at 47 schools), we strengthened our capacity. Our staff reached 18 full- and part-time employees, including three new positions. We added seven new members to our Board of Directors. And we employed 190 soccer and writing coaches at our schools — the people who make our soccer, poetry and service-learning model work every day!

To everyone who contributed to DC SCORES during 2013 ... and it would take a book to list you all ... THANK YOU for an incredible and inspiring year.

Here's to an even more spectacular 2014!

DC SCORES students feel empowered, have voices of change on Global Youth Service Day

It was a beautiful morning on Saturday, April 27, at Tubman Elementary School in Columbia Heights. As people were sleeping in, going on a morning jog or heading to brunch, four DC SCORES teams participated in Global Youth Service Day, the largest service event in the world.  

Global Youth Service Day is a weekend-long event dedicated to service-learning projects created and implemented throughout six continents and 100 countries all led by youth.  At Tubman, C.W. Harris Elementary School students joined their friends from the Winter SCORES program, Bancroft and Thomson elementary schools, along with Aiton Elementary for a day of fun and fitness.

DC SCORES was able to host the event thanks to service grants received from the Sodexo Foundation, Disney Friends for Change and UnitedHealth HEROES.

The theme? 

“Dance, Run, Play.”

The youth danced to Beyonce’s “Move Your Body,” the “Cha Cha Slide,” “Cupid Shuffle” and the “Wobble.” They really got down when it was time to show the DCSCORES staff and volunteers how to “Dougie” and “Gangham Style.”  

They then created snack bags to promote “portion control” when bringing snacks to school. After all, as long as eaten in moderation, most snacks are good for you! They filled the bags with their favorite fruits and veggies. The kids also created banners that read “Healthy Food for Everybody” and “Dance, Run, Play” along with many posters for the ultimate event of the day — the walk-a-thon. 

Next up, it was time to take the Presidential Fitness Test, which measures students on their level of fitness. Students turned the test into a fun competition, with each school’s youth measuring their collective fitness level. Medals were given for demonstrating strength and endurance, but more importantly as symbols of kids’ dedication to being fit and healthy for their DC SCORES teams.

When it was time to cool off, students were greeted by the smiling face of Sodexo volunteers eager to see the service their grant helped fund! At their station, kids made their own trail mix with such goodies as Chex, pretzels and chocolate chips, along with fruits and fruit juice.

Then, finally, it was time for the main event. The WALK-A-THON! 

At 12:30 p.m., we all gathered our posters and banners and lined up outside of Tubman ready to march! The students took to 13th Street chanting and cheering! 

“When I say fruits, you say veggies.” 

“Fruits! Veggies!”

“Fruits! Veggies!”  

Spectators admired and cars honked in support as our change makers belted out, “NO KID HUNGRY, NO KID HUNGRY!” 

Paula, a fifth-grader at Aiton, led the march with her megaphone, encouraging the community to “Wake up and start eating healthy! Say no to cheeseburgers, eat a turkey burger! Say no to junk food and eat a salad!”

As we turned from Otis Street onto 11th, the Saturday brunch patrons at The Coup, Red Rocks Pizza and Wonderland got a lesson from our kids on healthy eating. We began singing, “Healthy life equals a happy life” as we danced and waved our banners. Customers cheered and may have also questioned their brunch choices as our kids informed them on the growing issue of childhood obesity.  

Crossing the last street light on our way back to Tubman, we paraded on the sidewalk, boasting, “DC SCORES keeps us healthy, DC SCORES keeps us healthy!” 

Not only was Global Youth Service Day an event to promote healthy eating and living for the community, it was a day of empowerment for DC SCORES students. The day allowed students to advocate for change — and feel really good doing it! — for their respective communities. 

This was demonstrated by Paula, our walk-a-thon leader, who after the walk called her mom to say, “Mom, you would have been so proud of me! I led the entire walk-a-thon, they had me on the microphone, and I was telling everyone to eat healthy!” 

Or Ti-Ti, an Aiton fourth-grader who jumped up and down as she received her medal for the Presidential Fitness Test, exclaiming, “This is my first medal EVER!”  

So often kids feel unimportant as parents, teachers and other adults tell them what to do and how to live. Global Youth Service Day — and the DC SCORES spring service-learning season as a whole — is a day set aside for youth to voice their opinions and create awareness on issues that solely effect them, such as childhood hunger and childhood obesity.

Consider the mission, this year, very well accomplished!

Students give back to the homeless on Global Youth Service Day

“Good afternoon, my name is Jason,” the student began.

And with that, Jason and another Bancroft Elementary School poet-athlete, standing on the doorstep of a Mount Pleasant home, read their script to the homeowner, introducing themselves, stating that “over 600,000 people in DC are at risk of or experiencing hunger, and over 50,000 kids,” and then making their ask: “Is your house willing to donate any canned or boxed food to help solve the hunger crisis?”

Jason’s knock was the first to elicit a response on Monday, but it was far from the last. During two-plus hours, in the rain, roughly 75 students from Bancroft, Tubman Elementary School and Noyes Education Campus canvassed the neighborhood around Bancroft as part of Global Youth Service Day -- the largest service event in the world, established in 1988, that mobilizes millions of youth to improve their communities. The effort in DC was led by Serve DC.

Monday's project -- pushed back from Sunday because of rain -- was called “DC SCORES Against Hunger!” and involved collecting as many cans, cereals, pastas, tacos and more (you name it!) to support the organization So Others Might Eat (SOME), which has served the homeless in the District for the past 40 years.

The event was led by the three schools’ coaches, many of whom are DC SCORES AmeriCorps members. Other AmeriCorps coaches also helped the effort, which netted approximately 300 pounds of food.

For the participants, the event was a chance to give back and gain the satisfaction that comes with making a tangible difference in the lives of others. It was a warm-up for their service-learning projects to better their respective school communities this spring.

As I followed a group of 11 Noyes poet-athletes down Newton Street, I observed an increasing enthusiasm as the doors they knocked on began to elicit responses with homeowners returning from work.

After receiving cans from a third consecutive house, one student exclaimed, “Now we’re making progress!”

Upon returning to school with their two bags packed with goods, giving a pair of students one heck of a shoulder workout, another student said, “We made a difference, a huge difference.”

But the work wasn’t quite done.

Once the food had been collected, students sat down in the Bancroft cafeteria to craft letters to the homeless families who will receive the food. One of the students wrote: “We’re giving you food because we’re sad and we want you to have it because we love you.”

When the work was done, the students completed an active afternoon by playing soccer games against each other on Bancroft’s small field and making smoothies with Brainfood DC volunteers.

In one of the coolest food-making stations you’ll ever see, Brainfood set up a stationary bike with a blender attached, somehow, to the back wheel so that as students took turns pedaling, a delicious smoothie was made.

Pedaling a smoothie, it truly was.

The homeless families served by SOME likely won’t receive such smoothies, but thanks to the efforts of students on Monday -- who ignored the rain and could be heard shouting “That’s it? We should go down that block!” -- they’ll receive a boatload of food and encouraging letters.