SCORES service-learning projects address broad societal problems.
America SCORES Bay Area empowers young people to transform their communities through a unique blend of soccer, poetry, and service learning. Our springtime service-learning program challenges students to look critically at the world around them, identify pressing issues in their schools and neighborhoods, and take meaningful action to create positive change. This blog post shares an in-depth look at the diverse service-learning projects led by SCORES poet-athletes across the Bay Area, highlighting their innovative approaches and the tangible impact they are making.
In 2025, SCORES teams stretching from San Rafael to Pajaro Valley chose to examine issues in their communities that reflect broader societal problems. As part of the learning process, the students map out both positive and negative issues that they observe in their own lives, then decide which of the negative items to address. The topics these teams address are diverse and include public safety, homelessness, children’s health, environmental cleanup, bullying (and its inverse, cultivating kindness), mental health, immigration issues (including ICE), animal welfare, and more.
“Watching our young poet-athletes come together to raise awareness and drive positive change in their communities is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. As I always say, it’s not just about the final project, it’s about planting the seed in each young person that their voice matters. No matter their age, background, or identity, they have the power to lead and to make a difference.”
Key Findings from Service Learning Projects:
Stepping back from the individual projects, a clearer picture emerges from America SCORES Bay Area's service-learning projects.
A Deep Concern for Well-being: It's striking how often our students choose to address social-emotional issues – the challenges of bullying, mental health, and substance abuse. Accounting for over 60% of all projects, this focus reveals a generation highly attuned to the emotional climate of their schools and communities. They are reaching out to support their peers and create safer, more compassionate spaces.
Standing Against Bullying: The persistence of anti-bullying initiatives (26% of projects) across many school sites underscores the ongoing struggle against this pervasive issue. But more importantly, it highlights the students' determination to take ownership, to be the change they want to see in creating more inclusive environments.
A Green Thread: From the youngest students to the oldest, environmental consciousness is a consistent theme. Students are taking steps, big and small, to protect their local environments and promote sustainable practices.
The Power of Three: The most impactful projects often blend education, creative expression, and direct action.
Understanding the Impact: A Summary of Service Learning Themes
Here's a look at the key themes that emerge from SCORES’ student-directed service learning projects
Environmental Stewardship: Projects in this area focus on practical actions to care for the local environment. This includes hands-on efforts like campus clean-ups, promoting recycling within schools, and working on beautification projects in public spaces. The Campus Clean-Up and Recycling Initiative at Ann Soldo in Pajaro Valley is a clear example of students taking direct responsibility for improving their immediate surroundings and encouraging sustainable habits. These projects address tangible environmental concerns at a local level.
Mental Health & Kindness: This theme centers on fostering positive social interactions and supporting emotional well-being. Students develop and implement campaigns focused on anti-bullying, spreading messages of kindness, and promoting healthy self-image.
The "Kindness for Noah" project at Bradley Elementary in Pajaro Valley, a digital tribute, came out of a team’s response to the death of one of their teammates in a tragic car accident. Under the guidance of their two coaches, Dexiree and Gabriel Sanchez, the students built a website, Noah’s Kindness Hub, to honor their classmate, who stood out for his kindness, and to come to terms with his passing. The students celebrated Noah through memories, stories, artwork, and acts of kindness. Transforming grief into a constructive act, this project provided students with valuable experience in website creation and teamwork, culminating in a heartfelt digital tribute to their friend's life.
“It was eye-opening to see how kindness, no matter how big or small, could be perceived in so many powerful and different ways.”
Support for the Vulnerable: Driven by a desire to help those facing hardship, these projects provide tangible assistance to vulnerable populations. Initiatives include organizing donation drives for homeless shelters, creating supportive messages or items for children with illnesses, and addressing food insecurity through collections and events. The Donation Drives for Homeless Shelters by students at Bayview in West Contra Costa and Paul Revere in San Francisco demonstrate a response to a critical community need and students’ capacity for compassion and action.
Social Justice & Awareness: Projects under this theme engage with broader societal issues, aiming to increase understanding and advocate for fairness. Students explore topics including cultural inclusion, the complexities of immigration, and fundamental human rights through awareness campaigns and educational activities. The Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Immigration project at Harding in West Contra Costa and the Bahia Vista Immigration and ICE Awareness project in San Rafael reflect students’ responses to our current charged political climate and the frightening realities faced by their own communities. SCORES poet-athletes walked around their neighborhoods, handing out “red cards” (pocket-sized documents helping individuals understand and assert their constitutional rights if approached by ICE authorities).
Community Engagement: Connecting and Strengthening Bonds. This broad theme encompasses the many ways students are actively involved in their schools and wider communities, working to strengthen connections and address local needs. Projects range from organizing family events to creating student-led campaigns. The Community Food Drive & Family Night at Amesti in Pajaro Valley is an example of students bringing people together and addressing food insecurity through active participation. These initiatives are vital for building strong, resilient communities.
SCORES Executive Director Colin Schmidt underscores the value of the service-learning program, “Our Poet-Athletes are learning. They are learning about their communities, learning to solve problems, and learning to choose action over apathy. At SCORES, we promote a cycle of giving where everyone on the team is expected to make a difference and help out others in need.”
Hoover Elementary in West Oakland illustrated and animated a video to express love and unity in their community.