Kim C.’s Post

A golden toilet - aka the “#PotOfGold” refreshed by DUDE Wipes. The #PowerOfSport provides opportunities to prove that sports are so much more than goals and points scored or wins and losses. This past weekend at the popular BODYARMOR Sports Series media day, student athletes from the city and suburbs, public and private schools from all different backgrounds in #Chicago came together to meet off the field, have a little fun in the Field Day Olympics and #GoForTheGold competing for the “Pot Of Gold.” #DYK: #ColonCancer is a real issue, as 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women are impacted. It also is on the rise in young adults and has been for years. Yale Medicine surgeons who treat it are urging proactive screenings for young people, pointing to the rising rates related to environmental and lifestyle factors. Over the past 20 years, colon cancer rates have increased by: 500 percent: In children ages 10–14 333 percent: In teens ages 15–19 185 percent: In people ages 20–24 To help engage and educate student athletes around the topic, they competed in team-building challenges against their peers. The winning school earned the right to the “Pot Of Gold” over the next month, which enables it to secure $2 donations. The pot can be brought to school, in the community, to football games, etc. School programs are always looking for fun ways to fundraise, and this provides an opportunity for student athletes to be leaders off the field in the #GameOfLife by engaging and educating their peers and overall community about the importance of proactive screenings. Each person who donates $2 will also get a “Golden Ticket” after scanning a QR code. The ticket encourages proactive screenings. The “Pot Of Gold” will be split between the school program, the Golden Ticket winner and The Colon Club. In 20 years, most student athletes, coaches and parents won’t recall the scores of all their games this season. But if we help save 1 life of a young adult, their parent or family friend, then we’ll have scored the biggest win of the 2024 fall high school sports season. Always remember: Sport is so much more than just games. Self Care, YOU Care.

Check out our Founder & CEO, Paul Caccamo, interviewed by Mark R. Koesterer at The Players NIL! They discussed all things youth sports, national service, academic success, and how the power of a trained coach can transform youth in underserved communities nationwide ⬇

Empowering the Future: The Role of Youth Development Programs In a world that constantly changes, the importance of robust youth development programs stands out more than ever. A recent story shared on Instagram resonated deeply with me, highlighting the transformative power of such initiatives. The story featured a young individual whose life was significantly impacted by a local basketball program. This program didn't just teach basketball skills; it instilled confidence, discipline, and a sense of community. It’s a testament to how the right environment and mentorship can unlock potential and drive positive change. The Importance of Youth Programs. Youth development programs play a crucial role in shaping future generations. They provide more than just activities and education; they offer hope, direction, and a supportive network. These programs help young people navigate challenges and develop critical life skills. Building Connected Communities. At Whai Basketball, we aim to create a city that is not only vibrant but also socially connected. Our programs are designed to inspire and uplift, ensuring that young people see beyond their immediate circumstances. By fostering a sense of belonging and community, we help them build a foundation for future success. Get Involved and Make a Difference. Everyone can play a part in this mission. Whether through mentoring, donating, or simply advocating for youth programs, your contribution can have a lasting impact. Together, we can build communities where young people are encouraged to dream big and work towards their goals. Let’s take a moment to consider how we can support and expand these essential programs. By investing in our youth, we’re investing in a brighter future for all. #YouthEmpowerment #CommunityBuilding #FutureLeaders #Inspiration

Annual Giving. Let's talk about it. Annual Giving serves as the cornerstone of our commitment to fostering meaningful change and empowerment. It goes beyond mere financial transactions; it embodies a pledge to create tangible impact in specific areas like education and athletics. In education, annual giving opens doors to opportunity by providing scholarships, resources, and support systems for students. It ensures that financial constraints don't hinder access to quality education, empowering individuals to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential. Likewise, in athletics, annual giving plays a pivotal role in creating environments where student athletes can thrive. Through investments in facilities, coaching, and programs, we not only promote physical well-being but also instill vital life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. These experiences go beyond the playing field, shaping individuals into confident, well-rounded leaders ready to take on the world. As we unite in our support for annual giving, we celebrate its profound impact in shaping brighter futures for generations to come. It's a testament to the power of collective action and the belief that every contribution, no matter the size, has the potential to make a difference. Let's continue to champion annual giving as a force for positive change, empowering individuals and communities to thrive and succeed! #AnnualGiving #Philanthropy #HigherEducation #Athletics #Impact #CommunitySupport

A great read for what's happening in #HigherEducation and a powerful example of the student experience. How can we provide high schoolers better guidance as we continue to see instability in four-year institutions? When we discuss the "value" of #HigherEducation, do we need to think about this similar to investments? What's your risk appetite?! This is another example of why we need to promote our #CommunityColleges and their ability to provide tangible "value" to students and pathways to completing their degrees! #Anthology #InsideHigherEd #HigherEducation

Three years ago I started PANDA STRONGER out of State College. I did so to combat the rising costs of things like Team Snap, Playmetrics, Sports Engine, NCSA, CaptainU, Press Sports, etc. We are succeeding. We now have clients all over the country - and we have done so all by word of mouth. We are seeing a lot of penetration into the Division II, III, JuCo, and NAIA collegiate levels. We are also picking up high schools and clubs from all over. In the spring, we launched our Club PANDA module which is the business administration side for clubs, camps, and registrations. This summer, we launched our revolutionary new college recruiting module to help college coaches find athletes through analytics. No one else does what we do. We want the market to be more efficient and affordable. But a funny thing happened along the way. We also realized any organization, club, or group that wants free calendars, group chats, notifications, etc., can also use PANDA Stronger. We were built to be sports centric, but anyone can use us. Try our social media tools and profiles! It is hard to beat FREE. And we are FREE. Visit our website at www.PANDAstronger.com. All I ask is you tell your school athletic department and club leaders about us. If we can save schools and clubs a few thousand dollars each, plus save the parents from spending thousands on college recruiting tools, we have done our job!!

Today we're raising $20,000 to continue to empower our organization to grow to meet the demands for our groundbreaking, crucial community program, DCFC. These funds will be crucial to expanding the DCFC program to add four more teams in 2024, to bring our total of 100% free-to-play youth travel teams to 12: https://lnkd.in/eczsyp3g This program isn't just about soccer, it's about developing an environment and providing resources necessary for our student athletes to thrive. We incorporate a number of initiatives and programs with DCFC to both address community issues and support youth development for the young men and women we serve. These programs include: financial literacy, time management, conflict resolution, leadership building, and goal setting workshops led by youth development professionals. We also incorporate fitness and nutrition programs with soccer programming to empower our youth to become the healthiest versions of themselves while instilling the knowledge to form a lifetime of healthy habits. Since our organization launched in 2015, here's just a few elements that highlight our impact: - Our programs have provided $1.75 million of aggregate value to date - We’ve hosted 2,500+ program participants - We've helped secure $140,000 in NCAA athletic scholarships for alumni. - We've helped alumni secure more $1.1 million in need based aid and academic scholarships.  - 10 alumni went on to play soccer in college and 20 of our program alumni have gone on to enroll in either two or four year colleges or universities. - DCFC subsidizes $3,500 per year in costs for each student-athlete that is a part of our program Expanding to 12 DCFC teams in 2024 will empower us to scale this program as an agent of change to serve more than 200 student athletes. We can't thank you enough for the support as we work to build a better future for the next generation of young men and women we serve.

As the football season kicks off, many higher education institutions are witnessing a significant uptick in contributions, not just in athletics, but across various departments. This seasonal surge in giving is not just about supporting sports; it's a celebration of school spirit and community engagement that often leads to increased funding for scholarships, facilities, and research initiatives. 🏈 Why does football season boost contributions? It's about more than just winning games. Football season is a high-visibility period for universities, enhancing alumni engagement and showcasing the vibrant campus life. These factors create a compelling narrative for donors, who often feel more connected and motivated to contribute during this time. 📊 Leveraging Data in Fundraising: This phenomenon also highlights the importance of strategic data use in fundraising efforts. By analyzing giving patterns during sports seasons, advancement teams can tailor their outreach, creating more personalized and timely engagement strategies. Let's discuss: 1. How can institutions sustain this momentum and engage donors year-round? 2. What role does data play in your strategy during high-engagement seasons like this? Your insights are invaluable as we explore the dynamics of fundraising in sync with university events and seasons. Let's turn this seasonal spirit into a sustained support for our educational missions! #HigherEducation #Fundraising #Sports #DataDrivenDecisions #AlumniEngagement #CommunityBuilding

Thank you to my guest, Paul Caccamo, A Sports-Based Youth Development Leader Who Uses the Transformative Power of Youth Sports to Impact Public Education & Mental Health  Below is the information about Paul, his work, and the insights he shared in this week's episode: Paul is a 35-year veteran of the non-profit sector, a true pioneer in the field. He is the founder of the sports-based youth development movement, having established numerous nonprofits focusing on youth development, sports, physical activity, and education. His lectures and writings on the impact of sports on youth and community development are invaluable. He founded the America SCORES national office in 1999 and Up2Us Sports in 2010. In this week’s episode, Paul shared the following insights: - How having little to no involvement in sports can lead to a career in public service using sports as a vehicle for good - How all types of youth activities have led to life skills programs for today’s youth - The value of team participation and the most critical life skill is having a "Plan B." - The big question: “Why do kids stay in school?” - His vision for a national service organization to recruit coaches - How today’s world of sports specialization limits the life skills experience - The difference between romantic and realistic views on sports - Importance of athletic involvement for academic success in underserved communities - Educating parents about the role of a trained coach #coaching #athletics #empower #leadership #thankyou The Players NIL REAL NIL for ALL https://lnkd.in/gzk4YMhC

Why should you care about what schools and youth programs are teaching kids today? For the longest time, I have had an odd relationship with LinkedIn. I was never quite sure "where I fit into" this business-driven landscape as a little nonprofit, but I think I'm starting to figure it out. I'll share a couple of observations I had while I was still working in the for-profit sector, and you can tell me if you see it too. In my last two for-profit roles, I was a District Sales Manager for one of the world's largest Broadline Foodservice Distributors, and a COO for a small group of local restaurants (three stores, one commissary). In both roles, it was a struggle, and mind you, this was twelve years ago. Kids (meaning anyone between the ages of 18 and 25) were not coming into the workforce prepared. No one taught em' the first thing we tell kids when they come to bike club: life isn't fair. They also could not grasp the idea behind "there is no finish line" because that's all they were taught to chase before they came to work for us. As a business owner, manager, or C-level executive, tell me: Is life fair? And how the hell do ya win with a team who thinks the battle should be? You don't. Life is not fair. You can't win with people unwilling to work for stuff, and that brings me to "there is no finish line." Stephen Covey talked about "beginning with the end in mind" many years ago. I always loved that quote, but I think over time, we lost sight of what it takes to get to the end (finish line): The hard work, commitment, failures, heartache, sleepless nights, demotions, and hard fucking lessons. Or, in other words, we're failing to teach youth to embrace the journey (adventure). That's where I think we (906AT) come in, and I think we're gonna have to work together if we have any hope of being successful. Right now, as a nonprofit, we have some relationships with businesses and corporate partners in the form of sponsorships, and those are great, but they often feel transactional. Small, short term "philanthropic investments". I want to be clear: we appreciate them, but we have also learned not to depend on them because businesses like to "share the love." It's common for a business to sponsor us one year and someone else the next. No one can depend on the long-term support. That's not good for anyone. The nonprofits are left constantly chasing money, and the for-profits don't really ever get a consistent long-term return on investment. We have to work together. The for-profit sector needs help. We need help. The truth is, we can have an impact, and we can do it together. Let's be honest. Your companies need it. Our communities need it. We all need it: a long-term plan for helping kids enter the world more prepared and resilient. There are people who sit back and complain, "Kids have changed", but I do not agree. The way we're preparing them has. That is what has to change, and we need to work together to make it happen.