What We Do
What is a poet-athlete?
Someone who nurtures their mind, body, and community
through poetry
What is a poet-athlete?
Someone who nurtures their mind, body, and community
through poetry, soccer
What is a poet-athlete?
Someone who nurtures their mind, body, and community
through poetry, soccer, and service.
Our Model
How It Works
We create empowering spaces where youth show up as their full, authentic selves — all year long.
As the school year begins, poet-athletes form close-knit bonds with their soccer team and raise their voices on issues they care about through poetry workshops. In the spring, they continue to work together on and off the field by giving back to their community through service learning projects based on the themes explored in their poetry.
By working directly with and in schools, DC SCORES creates safe environments where young people can build connections with their community and become transformational youth leaders in their neighborhoods.
Real Impact
96
%
of poet-athletes reported feeling more confident after a season in our program.
94
%
of coaches reported that DC SCORES had a positive influence on culture in their school.
94
%
of parents/family member reported that DC SCORES makes their children feel better about themselves.
Our Voices
“I used to be shy, but I grew in DC SCORES. Little me trying to give my first poem at poetry slam to now being this bold, courageous councilmember.”
– Janeese Lewis George, D.C. Councilmember
“There aren’t many other places that allow young people’s voices or opinions to be heard. The impact goes deeper than just an after-school program: SCORES teaches kids lifelong skills.”
– Marvin Newsome Jr, DC SCORES Coach
“DC SCORES has created a community, a hub of trust, of family, of support. It’s just a really powerful program that brings unity.”
– Jennifer Schroeder, DC SCORES Coach
Current Program Sites
Our Network
America SCORES
DC SCORES was founded in 1994 by a D.C. public school teacher. Since then, as a legacy of the 1994 Men’s World Cup in the United States, our model has grown into a movement encompassing 13 cities across North America under the America SCORES network.
