HOW WE CREATE CHANGE

The Need

Young people today are living in a country that is more diverse than ever before, but it’s also becoming more divisive and segregated. Racism, discrimination, and bullying can hold them back emotionally, physically, and academically from reaching their true potential… But this generation is different. Young people today see hope within this moment, and are ready to take the action necessary to create the world we all deserve to see.

Racism, Discrimination & Bullying are Widespread

1.3M

1.3 million students aged 12 to 18 experienced bullying related to their race, national origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation¹.

Bullying and/or Mental Health Impacts

25%

Students who face discrimination frequently are 25% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder and twice as likely to develop severe psychological distress².

These Conversations Aren’t Happening Enough at School or Home

38%

Only 38% of parents said they regularly discuss race/ethnicity³.

This Generation Wants to Do More

75%

Young Americans are optimistic about creating change, but nearly 75% wish they could do more to help support the causes they care about⁴.

Three-quarters of young Americans believe that their generation will change the world. Get In the Game will help them do just that.

The Get In the Game Experience

Get In the Game works by meeting young people where they already are—at schools, in after-school programs, athletics, etc. The first step to building a Get In the Game club with your youth is to get adults into the game. We empower teachers, youth-development professionals, coaches, or other interested leaders with the playbook, resources and training to become facilitators.

Next, facilitators and students work together to create a welcoming safe-space where everyone is encouraged to be themselves as they engage in real, and sometimes difficult, youth-driven dialogues about race, inequity and other top-of-mind social justice issues.

Throughout the two-season experience students have access to additional resources on a private, online portal; utilize unique and innovative shared experiences such as virtual reality content to help break down barriers; and are given journals to document their thoughts and reflect throughout.

As students become more aware of the factors that divide people, they step out of the classroom and into the world and work to create real solutions to help level the playing field within their communities.

The overall Get In the Game experience arises from the interworking of three key components: 1) The Playbook, 2) KEDD in Action, and 3) Equity Avenue. The Playbook provides the foundation which GameChangers build upon through service learning with KEDD in Action. Equity Avenue will be the piece that keeps GameChangers connected and engaged and helps them sustain their lifelong commitment to driving change.

 
 

  The Playbook

Get In the Game utilizes a lineup of values-based, social justice learning activities, each of which is guided by our Timeless Nine philosophical framework. During each session, facilitators support student-driven experiences that springboard into empathy development, critical thinking, and leadership experiences. The result is young people who can change the game in society, as well as in their learning careers.

KEDD & KEDD in Action

Get In the Game enables GameChangers to be part of the solution through KEDD in ACTION. Through the lens of Kindness, Empathy, Dignity, and Diversity, GameChangers use what they have learned to plan and execute a community impact project, allowing them to experience first-hand how they can begin addressing problems of inequity and driving change.

 The Future is Equity Avenue

Real change requires persistent effort, so we are developing Equity Avenue—an app intended to provide life-long support for GameChangers. After their two-season experience with Get In the Game, GameChangers will transition to the Equity Ave app which will serve as a safe space to connect, share experiences, sustain tough conversations, & continue to drive change by fostering ongoing service in their communities.

 

Our Impact - The Pilot Years

³ Kotler, J.A, Haider, T.Z. & Levine, M.H. (2019). Identity matters: Parents’ and educators’ perceptions of children's social identity development. New York: Sesame Workshop.

⁴ YMCA, How Are Young Americans Creating Positive Change?, 9 November 2019,