IMPACT Silver Spring’s work through Opportunity Circles and sports teams focuses on creating opportunities for community members to realize their dreams. This week, we share two examples of this work in Briggs Chaney and Bel Pre. As you consider your year-end giving, these stories offer an illustration of how your financial support makes an impact in the community.
Activating Community Leadership Skills
Sueann Young, a Briggs Chaney resident and member of the East County Community Circle (ECCC), is not a runner herself, but she has seen the positive impact of running for her daughters, who participate in a running program at their school. “I believe in the power of running to lift a community,” said Sueann. Inspired by a vision of a large number of friends and neighbors running down Briggs Chaney Road, Sueann is activating her leadership within the ECCC to organize a community running group in her neighborhood.
It has not been easy. Finding accessible, free space to run indoors during the cold weather has proven to be a challenge. However, encouraged by ECCC group members and Lanita Whitehurst, IMPACT’s East County Network Builder, a group called the East County Running Club (who are inspired by the powerful question: Who Runs The World?) will begin running together this weekend. Their kickoff event is an indoor Christmas Countdown Run for families at 9:00am on Saturday (12/13/2014) at the East County Recreation Center. Are you feeling inspired? Come on out, and join in with others who are running the world this weekend!
Activating Youth
Through a relationship with Montgomery County Recreation, IMPACT Silver Spring will have the opportunity to host two 5th-8th grade teams in the County’s elite Rising Star program. This is a tremendous privilege, and will require skilled coaches to lead the teams. Enter Ron Samuels, a resident of Bel Pre, who has agreed to serve as a volunteer coach for one of those teams.
Ron is offering his time to activating youth in Bel Pre because he knows neighborhood parents are eager and anxious for their sons to be able to participate in this level of play. But often the costs are too high. Through IMPACT’s team, families will only pay 20% of the registration cost. He describes this opportunity as a “blessing for the Bel Pre community.” IMPACT is fortunate to have such a gifted and willing community member to coach this team of middle school boys. Games start during the first week in January; stay tuned to learn more about their progress.
Your support enables IMPACT to continue building community-based networks that support resident-led initiatives like these to thrive. You can make your end of year contribution to IMPACT electronically via our website or you can make out a check to IMPACT Silver Spring and send it to PO Box 8397, Silver Spring, MD 20907. If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth McMeekin.