EDUCATION
on hold during 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic , but came back in 2022 . More than 51 schools signed up . The students who participate in the program are also invited to a Ports game .
“ We are particularly interested in targeting students who might not have accessibility to books , or are not motivated to read ,” says Jordan Feneck , director of business development for the Stockton Ports . “ We have over 80 percent of our schools returning each year , which is a testament to the program .”
Students who are interested can also submit artwork for a bookmark competition . The winner gets to throw out the first pitch at one of the Baseball by the Books games , and the bookmark is reprinted with the winning design and distributed to all participating schools and students . The 2022 winner was Pulliam Elementary School student Ixtzel Solano . “ According to her teacher , she was normally a little on the shy side ,”
says Feneck . “ But I would have never guessed that . She was so excited about her accomplishment , and once she realized that all her classmates and the other students got a copy of her bookmark , she just lit up .”
The combined efforts of area sports teams to engage local youth and prevent youth violence may have made a positive impact on the community . In 2018 and 2019 , the City of Sacramento had no youth homicides under the age of 18 . The pandemic-impacted numbers tell a different story . According to the Sacramento County Sheriff ’ s Office , there were three youth homicides in 2020 and six in 2021 .
Organizers note their programs were not designed to address the many factors that impacted youth during the pandemic , such as the inability to go to school and to socialize in normal settings . But each is optimistic about the goal of improved numbers going forward .
“ One of the things we think is really important is that we take a collective approach to this ,” says Hewitt . “ We say all these programs and activities contribute to a positive impact . Public safety has a role . Youth development activities ( have ) a role . Education and deploying the whole social emotional development of young people has a role . We would argue that a great city is always taking into account the things that its young people need .”
Burdick with Republic FC agrees . “ All of us collectively using our platforms to make an impact is huge .”
Laurie Lauletta-Boshart has written for DWELL , ESPN , The Wall Street Journal , Sports Illustrated and others . Online @ wordplaycommunication . com and on Twitter @ laurieboshart .
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64 comstocksmag . com | September 2022