Thriving Building Leadership and Self-Expression 2014 AnnuAl RepoRt Me Myself and I Me myself and I is beautiful I know I can do this, Inside and out so I’m going to try Me is strong, Try my best, And me is brave And do my best Myself has kindness, If I mess up, And myself has generosity Well I tried But most of all, And that’s the great part I have curiosity About being, Me is proud of being here, Me Myself and I Up on this lovely stage Aslan N., Age 10 Myself is nervous, Markham Elementary School But at the same time curious Portland Of what people will think of me, 2 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report America SCORES, a national non-profit, serves over 8,000 children at over 155 public and charter schools in 14 major cities. America SCORES’ mission is to inspire urban children to lead healthy lives, be engaged students and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world. We achieve this mission through daily after school programs that combine soccer, poetry and community service. This holistic, team-based approach works. America SCORES students, 85% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch, improve academically, increase physical fitness and have a greater sense of confidence and belonging. americascores.org Report designed by Nick Rebeck, former DC SCORES Assistant Athletic Director (2003-2004). AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report 3 Poet Express yourself Have feelings Proudness Imagination and A brain Shine brighter than the sun Use your 5 senses But most of all Use that wonderful brain and imagination Of yourself Bertha M., Age 10 Newlon Elementary School Denver 4 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report Report contents Introduction 6 2014Highlights 8 Reach&Program 14 Impact 16 ProgramProfiles 18 BoardMembers 24 Supporters 28 FinancialReport 34 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report 5 Introduction aMerica scoReS By the numbers 14 cities acrosstheUnitedStates&Canada 164 schools Publicandcharterschools 686 coaches Teachersintheschools 8,272 poet-athletes ×7.5hours/week×24weeks= 1.5 million child-hours ofafter-schoolprogrammingin2014 6 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report America SCORES marked its 20th program year in 2014. In 1994, DC SCORES was founded A Message froM by Julie Kennedy, a young public school teacher in Washington, D.C., who saw a lack of activities Ben & Holly for her students after school. Implementing core has now gone international and ensured that high values of teamwork, leadership and commitment quality after-school programming is available to into her students, the program launched 20 years communities in need around Vancouver. of life-changing experiences for tens of thousands Another addition to our family was World of low-income students through poetry, soccer Champion Goalkeeper Briana Scurry as National and community service. Spokesperson. With Bri’s support and visibility, Today, America SCORES serves over 8,000 America SCORES will inspire generations of students. In expanding our program to serve young girls and boys to succeed in the classroom K-2nd grade and middle school students, we are and on the field. Her involvement continues our able to give more young people the opportunity long-standing connection with the U.S. Women’s to express themselves, have a coach and a team National Team. of peers. Perhaps most significantly in our 20th To the hundreds of donors, volunteers and year, SCORES has proven time and again to be supporters that continue to make America a successful and sustainable program. Statistics SCORES possible: thank you. Thank you for show that our poet-athletes improve their providing the opportunities for SCORES poet- physical fitness and academics and have a greater athletes to succeed, both in school and in life. connection to the community. The pages ahead Here’s to the next 20 years! will deepen your understanding of the people that make SCORES so special. We welcomed a new member to our network this year with the launch of Canada SCORES Vancouver. With the leadership of longtime Benjamin Chrnelich Holly O’Donnell SCORES board member Jon Lutz, our program Board Chair Executive Director Female 46% Male 54% Hispanic 55% African-American 27% Caucasian 7% Asian American/Pacific Islander 6% Biracial/Multiracial 2% Other 3% AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report 7 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2014 Highlights Trip to the White House Watch the White House ceremony On Oct. 1, 2014, DC SCORES poet-athletes the Sporting KC players who have reached the from Truesdell Education Campus (an 18-year pinnacle of success in their sport. The students SCORES participant) were in for the experience learned that healthy habits are important on and of a lifetime when they were invited to the White off the soccer field! House lawn for a soccer clinic with Sporting The MLS champion team’s visit to the White Kansas City, the 2013 MLS champions. Donning House is an annual event for the president to Sporting KC shirts, the Truesdell students showed congratulate the team and celebrate the sport of off their skills in front of the pros and picked up soccer with kids from the community. As soccer some pointers along the way. becomes more prominent in the country, more In addition to celebrating the MLS champions, opportunities arise for America SCORES to raise the poet-athletes took part in the President’s awareness about the impact the sport can have Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition’s #EatSmart on youth development. Last year, poet-athletes campaign. Each poet-athlete filled out signs about from Atlanta, Boston, and Cleveland were invited why they make healthy eating choices. Ranging to join DC SCORES at the home of the president. from practical answers like “To stay in shape” to It’s an amazing opportunity for SCORES students more long term goals like “Perform my best,” to meet their idols and learn about how teamwork the campaign was boosted by the presence of and hard work can lead to success in life. 8 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report 9 8th annUal National poetry SlAm! Watch the 2014 Poetry SLAM! In an event highlighting powerful poetry and Now in its 8th year, the National Poetry SLAM! celebrating SCORES supporters near and far, there is the annual celebration of America SCORES that was one clear takeaway from the evening: words showcases the power of our program to instill can change the world. confidence and self-expression into the lives of On April 7, 2014, under the lights of the New America’s youth. Thousands of SCORES students York Stock Exchange, 26 poet-athletes from 13 work throughout the school year to write and cities across the country marched out in unison to perform their original poetry at regional Poetry chants of “Can you hear through the power of my SLAMs around the country for the opportunity to words?” Thus began an exhibition of poetry that travel to New York City for the trip of a lifetime. would bring the over 200 people in attendance The event is the culmination of two days of (and over 1,000 watching online via live stream) practicing, sight-seeing, and spending time with to laughter, tears, and an overwhelming feeling each other for the selected students. Participants that these kids are capable of anything. Exhibiting come away with lifelong friends, a sense of command of stage, language, and technique, the belonging beyond their communities, and a students left those attending in absolute awe. new self-belief to achieve inside and out of the classroom. 10 AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report Watch Xavier on MSNBC The Last Word Blaine with Lawrence O’Donnell this would be such a shame! For one lucky poet-athlete, the National Poetry I love showing my Jaguar PRIDE SLAM! performance was only the beginning of and wearing my burgundy and tan, the night’s celebration. After an invite to MSNBC’s so to save my school is the plan! “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” Xavier It’s not fair to close our school and C. of DC SCORES appeared on the show with force us to go America SCORES National Executive Director I need the arts and technology to Holly O’Donnell. Looking like a seasoned TV help me grow! veteran throughout, Xavier answered questions We know our math and reading about SCORES and then stepped onto the studio scores may not be the best, stage to perform the poem that had stunned the But we have potential because our National Poetry SLAM! audience hours earlier. worth is more than just data and My School’s Closing… tests! I heard the most terrible news Moms, Dads, and community and it’s left me so confused! leaders…we need your help to save My school may be closing and I am our school! in shock! Please let the Public Charter School I would do anything to turn back the Board know that closing ATA hands on the clock! would not be cool! ATA is the best school for me and the If I am the future, then put my needs only one I’d choose, first! but if you close our doors we’d lose… – Xavier C., Age 10 our home away from home on 5300 Arts & Technology Academy Washington, D.C. AmeRicA SCOReS 2014 Annual Report 11 new NationalSPokesperson Briana Scurry Read the Sports Illustrated Article In June 2014, America SCORES welcomed an outstanding shoot-out save against China in a very exciting new member to the SCORES front of 90,000 screaming fans. Scurry continued family. Olympic and World Cup champion to make history as one of the first women in goalkeeper Briana Scurry was named the National the world to participate in a woman’s paid Spokesperson for SCORES.