The Boise office’s Charitable Contributions Committee recently made a donation to help out local nonprofit program Game Changers, which gives kids with and without disabilities an opportunity to play sports together. Founded by Boise high school teacher Gabriel Moreno, this organization is not just about what it does. It’s about how it accomplishes its mission. (That should sound familiar to Nelnet associates.)
An inspiring quote on the Game Changers website that aligns with their mission is from the Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The organization is driven by a belief that every child, regardless of ability, should have the opportunity to play sports to their fullest potential. In creating an opportunity for participants to play team sports and develop their skills, kids of all abilities build friendships and learn how to really help each other.
With volunteers ranging from kindergartners – yes, kindergartners – to adults, Game Changers focuses on teaching everyone “patience, empathy, and how to be leaders on and off the field. The first step is by being a genuine human being,” according to the website. Creating an environment for individual expression with the assurance that others will be kind and accepting is core to Game Changers’ programs.
Game Changers offers sports such as flag football, soccer, fencing, gymnastics, and CrossFit. The organization’s school-based sports program allows Game Changers to partner with Special Education classrooms and create an opportunity for special needs students to represent their schools in school sports. The organization also offers a program to make sports fun for children ages 3-5 with physical or cognitive disabilities.
Thank you to Nelnet’s Boise associates for giving back to their community. We especially appreciate you bringing to our attention a unique organization that supports children with disabilities while also developing young volunteers and encouraging kindness and inclusion among people of all ages. To learn more about Game Changers, donate, or volunteer, visit their website.
