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Leveling the Playing Field for Youth
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By Todd Pernsteiner, Creative Director, Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc. Creating equity in youth sports programs has been an on-going mission for many Illinois communities. In the recent past, park and recreation agencies have offered scholarships or waived registration fees for financially challenged families, however the past couple of years has been a different story. Communities have faced budget shortfalls due to the on-going pandemic which could affect their ability to provide grants. An organization is stepping up to help agencies offset these financial shortcomings through grants to pay for youth registrations. Every Kid Sports, a non-profit organization that provides financial support to children of low-income families to pay sports registration fees, has committed to raising $10 million to get 100,000 kids nationwide off the sidelines and into the game. With the support of organizations, foundations, brands, and individual donations, Every Kid Sports aims to level the playing field to playing youth sports. Every Kid Sports signature program, Every Kid Sports Pass, provides qualified families grants of up to $150 four times per year, per child, for participation in a variety of youth sports.
messages let other families know of the opportunities that await them through the program. One of these all-stars, 12-year-old Zyon from Fort Mill (at left). “I will forever be grateful to the Every Kid Sports Pass, because it allowed my kiddos who had never been able to participate in sports to be active in different sports as well as allowed them to make a ton of new friends,” said Zyon’s mother, Terrie. “We believe in the power of youth sports to help kids reach their full potential and thrive in these difficult times. We are thrilled to be leading the charge on bringing major brands, sports organizations, families, and most importantly, the kids, together to equalize youth sports participation,” said Every Kid Sports Executive Director Natalie Hummel. “Youth sports have been severely impacted by the pandemic and more families than ever will need help to register their kids for sports. We can’t wait to see how many kids we can impact through this great program.” For more information about grants and Every Kid Sports visit: www.everykidsports.org
Every Kid Sports encourages sport sampling, as research shows that playing a variety of sports allows for greater physical literacy, better socialization, and greater enjoyment in being physically and emotionally active. It prepares them for a lifetime of activity, connection, and positive experiences. To receive a grant, a parent applies online at least 14 days before the sport’s season start date. Applications are reviewed in five to seven business days ,and approved funds can be accessed through Chek Financial’s mobile app to pay for league registration. The overwhelmingly positive feedback Every Kid Sports receives is proof the program is working. Every Kid Sports all-star kids and families share their positive Sports Pass experiences through testimonials, videos and photos. Their
“I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL TO THE EVERY KID SPORTS PASS, BECAUSE IT ALLOWED MY KIDDOS WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS TO BE ACTIVE IN DIFFERENT SPORTS AS WELL AS ALLOWED THEM TO MAKE A TON OF NEW FRIENDS.” 28 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org