Scholarship Helps Kinship Family “Focus on the Positives” and Get Special Time Together

What happens when a child is given the opportunity to discover something they love?

Eight-year-old Robert had never participated in an after-school activity before joining his neighborhood basketball league, but that didn’t stop him from quickly finding his place on the court.

“This is a great activity for Robert because he has a lot of energy, is athletic, and is really happy when playing ball,” says Danell, Robert’s aunt and kinship caregiver.

Meanwhile, older sister Destinee, having played on school basketball teams, is using league play to develop her skills to compete at a higher level for her school team. And big brother Diego, the musician of the family, was able to rent a cello over the summer, allowing him to maintain the hobby he loves to do as a member of his school’s orchestra.

All that thanks to the Enrichment Matters Scholarship from Seeds Community Center, which covers the cost of extracurricular activities for children in kinship care. 

We asked Danell to share a little more about her family’s experience with the Enrichment Matters Scholarship. Read what she shared:

Why is participating in extracurricular activities a priority for your family, even in the middle of difficult life circumstances that require so much of your time and energy?

The kids have been through a lot, and so have I. We have a lot of big behaviors in the house, there are difficulties with the schools, and a lot of grief and disappointment that the kids have to face at times due to the situation. 

These activities provide an opportunity to focus on the positives such as strengths, growth, teamwork, overcoming obstacles, wins, etc. It gives us all something to look forward to, and to enjoy together.

What is one thing your kids have learned or enjoyed?

Destinee is growing in her self-confidence. She is able to take risks in this league, and grow in her skills without having to deal with any school backlash such as insults or teasing. 

Robert is learning what it means to be on a team, and has picked up the rules of the sport quickly.

What does it mean for you as the caregiver and for your family overall to receive this scholarship?

For years, I have not had the financial means or capacity to allow my kids to engage in activities like this. There is no way I could afford to let each of them do something, and have never felt good about letting one kid do an activity they wanted to do while the others couldn't.

I am a single parent with 4 kids in the house still, and have a very demanding job across town. Life is overwhelmingly busy for us most of the time, and the mere thought of adding a commitment like this has been incredibly daunting for me.

The basketball league was shared with me by Seeds Community Center's staff member Christe. It is perfect for us, with only one practice and one game per week, with all events being held within 10 minutes of our home.

The intention of the Seeds staff, combined with this generous scholarship, has made it possible for each of my kids to meaningfully engage in something they love to do.