A valued grantee since Jessica Sarowitz served as a founding board member in 2014, Heart of the City provides accessible soccer and youth development programming in greater Lake County. On the field, students learn leadership, conflict resolution, team building, and, of course, improve their soccer skills. Off the field, students focus on workforce development, social-emotional learning, health, and wellness. As Executive Director Rena Lee puts the mission: “It’s really about connecting our student-athletes to resources that will help them be successful.”
Lee views Heart of the City as a partner in the community, helping to provide the support that students need outside of school. High school participants have the chance to truly envision themselves at college through campus visits- something many seniors didn’t have on their radar. Through college counselling and building trust with the whole family, soccer serves as a platform to attend a university, but also as an opportunity to consider possibilities beyond high school. Lee is proud to report that “100% of high school seniors who are active in the program graduate high school and get accepted into college.”
Lee credits the Heart of the City’s capacity to open doors for young people with Jessica’s love of soccer, and innate understanding that sports can be used to engage and empower students. Both leaders recognize that sports have an obvious physical benefit to young people learning to care for their health, but also provide emotional and academic improvements that go beyond the turf. Whether it be through physical activity, counselling on post-secondary opportunities, or connecting with physical therapists and nutritionists, Heart of the City prioritizes holistic well-being for the 1100+ youth they serve.
As Lee indicates, a leader like Jessica is a valuable role model for students involved with Heart of the City: “Knowing that Jessica is there cheering for them on the sidelines can give meaning to their lives. […] It creates this culture of giving back.”
A Waukegan resident with over 17 years of nonprofit experience, Rena Lee serves as Executive Director for Heart of the City. To make a contribution or to learn more about the organization, click here.
Kommentarer