Youth Sports Day introduces kids and parents to after-school nonprofits

WASHINGTON — Summer is winding down and kids are ready to make a splash in the classroom. At The Fields at RFK Campus Saturday, nonprofit Fight for Children hosted its second 'Youth Sports Day'.

Kids and parents participated in dancing, sports, and even received free backpacks, school supplies, health exams and haircuts.

“It was a struggle trying to find a barber that had open slots this weekend so something like this is very convenient," said parent Alisha Gibson. "Free food, just another chance for the kids to get together, enjoy themselves before school rolls around.”

Fight for Children says 2,000 people attended Saturday's Youth Sports Day.

“It’s so cool how everybody gathers up, from Commanders all around the city and stuff to go to this event," said Tony Brown, a student.

And the event's message is simple.

"Connecting kids to a sense of belonging that they might not otherwise have either in school or in the community, but they get it in these organizations," said James Kallusky, president of Fight for Children. "We’re starting to realize the value of youth sports in a kid’s life and really put it front and center, but it needs to be equitable and accessible for families."

DC Public Schools gets its year started on Monday. On top of the fun at Youth Sports Day, organizers say the "secret sauce" of this event is introducing kids and parents to after-school programs.

37 nonprofit organizations from the Fight for Children Youth Development Institute were in attendance, like SOUL Programs.

"Between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m., or 3 and 7 p.m. sometimes, 8 o’clock sometimes, those kids are with us," said Donald Curtis, founder and executive director at Soul Programs. "You don’t have to worry about those kids being in the street, being somewhere where they don’t need to be.”

“We know that kids that are involved in these types of nonprofit organizations are twice as likely to graduate than their peers," said Kallusky. "What does that mean? That means our labor force is going to be stronger, taxes are going to be paid. It’s a win for everybody.”