This month, Circles USA announced a new partnership with The Monthly Move Project (TMMP), a Utah-based national initiative offering athletic funded programs for children in poverty.
"We’re so proud to partner with Circles USA to provide athletic scholarships for children in poverty, offering them the opportunity to pursue their passion for sports,” TMMP wrote in a statement. “These scholarships aim to break down financial barriers, enabling children to develop athletic skills, gain confidence, and participate in organized sports programs. By investing in their potential, we’re helping to create a brighter future for these young athletes and their communities."
Many youth from families with limited resources have little to no access to extracurriculars at school or in the community. This is especially true in disciplines like athletics or dance that carry large fees and equipment requirements, effectively making the activity (and all its physical, social, and scholastic benefits) exclusive. TMPP aims to close that access gap for children of low-income families by making its enrollment form accessible and short: ideal for busy caregivers who hope to engage youth in beneficial physical activities with a minimum of red tape and difficult expense.
As well as tracking the family’s location, Circles chapter info, and the details of each child’s sport/activity of interest (including equipment or special gear they may need), the form allows guardians to submit sport-related art projects that students create to showcase their dreams and ambitions.
The Monthly Move Project invites interested adults in Circles chapters and the wider community to support youth athletics by contacting TMMP to learn how they can give time to volunteer, stating: “By volunteering, individuals play a vital role in shaping the lives of children facing homelessness, instilling values of perseverance, teamwork, and resilience through the power of sports.”
Above all, says TMMP Founder Alyssia Johnson, chapters can champion The Monthly Movement Project’s game-changing work by sponsoring student enrollment with the aid of their own local businesses. “Once a child is enrolled,” Alyssia explains, “the chapter's youth coordinator will find the necessary funds.”
Alyssia says that businesses related to the student's activity of choice make for great sponsorships that can be replicated at every chapter’s level: “Let’s say a child here in St. George, Utah, wants to play basketball, so my chapter’s youth coordinator might connect with a business called That Net on Fire and see if they were willing to sponsor the child through one of their programs. This gives businesses the opportunity to be a part of the community by furthering a child’s athletic opportunity. Everybody wins.”
“It’s one of many reasons,” Alyssia urged, “to join our mission and make a lasting impact on the dreams and aspirations of these children.”
Learn more about The Monthly Move Project on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Read about Circles USA’s multi-generational approach to helping families build community to end poverty:
Click the Give to Circles button and help us celebrate 25+ years of building community to end poverty!