but it wasn’t enough to fund staff, so they continued to rely
upon volunteer energy from a number of individuals and
organizations, such as the South County Youth Taskforce,
the City of San Jose’s Mayor’s Gang Prevention Taskforce, and
Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY).
While Daughenbaugh was thrilled with the steadily
growing league, it wasn’t until Santa Clara County Supervisor
Mike Wasserman got wind of the program about two and a
half years ago that it became something much more.
In July 2017, the board of supervisors voted unanimously
to fund the program with a full-time position and a budget.
Daughenbaugh was hired as the full-time coordinator of
the program.
She called it “everything I love about being a probation
officer all wrapped into one.” Her work has long been a
process of “holding people accountable but trying to forge
relationships to motivate people to make better decisions.”
And while sports may seem just about play, she insisted,
“It’s not about basketball, it’s about life.”
Most of the kids involved in the league don’t have this
opportunity anywhere else. “They’re underserved and from
at-risk single parent homes. These are not the kids that grew
up playing T-ball or on a soccer team.”
For many kids this is the first time they’ve ever been part of
a team, and it imparts valuable lessons. “I see it in their faces
when they get their first high five for their first shot. You watch
these kids blossom.”
Now that it’s fully funded, she hopes to be able to measure
the impact she’s seen anecdotally on things such as school
attendance and attitude.
“I had a principal write to me and say that on Fridays, after
their games, they walk around campus like they’re somebody.
It’s confidence building.”
Daughenbaugh herself works hard to instill commitment
and appropriate conduct in the kids. “Each week, before every
game, I tell them ‘What you’re really going to learn today is
to have fun and maybe something about being a leader, or
following a leader, or dealing with conflict.’”
She reminds these kids that it’s not always going to go their
way, but good sportsmanship is key. “I am amazed every week
at how these kids behave and handle themselves, given their
struggles and the brick walls they have in front of them.”
Overall, the program is a dream come true for her.
“I’m a probation officer who runs a sports league. None of
that makes sense on paper, but luckily the people who matter
get it.”
“It’s not about basketball, it’s about life.”
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