(Change the Game for MORE Kids! Meet Jennifer Barrientos Published 11/11/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley believes the choices we make can have a powerful impact on others. Being there for others is a choice and requires trust. Trust grows when we listen closely, empathize, think through solutions together, and look for ways to help. At FTSV, we teach participants and coaches how they can be that trustworthy go-to person and how to identify their go-to- team.
Being a go-to person starts with a few simple habits: earning trust by demonstrating integrity, actively listening, and offering our time and assistance, and using STAR (Stop. Think. Anticipate. Respond.) when helping someone through their challenges or problems. These are the Life Skills at the heart of our Making Good Choices lesson. Jennifer Barrientos, who has built a community within FTSV over the years, lives these life skills every day.
Meet Jennifer Barrientos
Jennifer’s journey with FTSV began in 2018 at our Parent University outreach event for Alum Rock Unified School District’s participants and families. Our Operations Assistant, Lina Herrera Peña attended the event and spoke with her and her family about our program. “Watching them participate together in the activities and seeing how excited the children were about golf allowed me to share with them the purpose and opportunities that come from being in First Tee,” said Lina. “What resonated with them the most was our program’s commitment to teaching life skills through golf while also preparing participants for the future beyond high school.”
According to Jennifer, “Before joining FTSV, all I knew about golf was that it was expensive and difficult to play. It was foreign to me and my family and not something we thought was going to be an option. FTSV offered my sister and I financial assistance, which made it possible for us to join the program.”
Once in the program she credits her coaches for being her go-to people. “The impact my coaches have had on me is beyond explainable. I’ve had amazing coaches who were always there for me and have always guided me. My coaches gave me advice from their personal experience and tied it back to what I can do for my personal impact. They showed me different ways I can use the high school life skills outside of the program. My coaches have gone above and beyond for me, and I am so grateful that they were there.”
She further highlights the impact that FTSV has had on her and her family, “My mom is a single mom and takes care of all three of us. She tries her best to give us what we need. I have a responsibility to my mom, sister, and brother. We are in this together and I embrace the challenge of being a role model and taking care of my mom. In FTSV, we learned that responsibility requires setting goals and following through on promises. I will continue to work hard in golf, my education, and my career to make myself, and my family proud.”
Fast forward 8 years and Jennifer has been one of the most engaged participants and coaches that we have ever had. She has taken all of our classes across all age groups, participated in and coached our Girls Golf program, assisted at our outreach events by speaking Spanish to families, became a volunteer life and golf coach, and now that she graduated high school is a paid coach with us over the summers. As a result of her contributions and her high character, Jennifer was selected to attend the First Tee John Deere Drive Your Future Academy in Florida, which is a female empowerment event recognizing young women who are motivated to make a positive difference at their Chapters, schools, and communities. In 2022, FTSV selected her as our Dennis Kettmann College Scholarship recipient and in 2026 Youth On Course selected her for a Youth on Course Scholarship. She also received the Latino Education Advancement Foundation Scholarship and was a finalist for the Posse Foundation Scholar Program, which connected her with St. Olaf College and their scholarship fund.
“I have so many good memories with First Tee – Silicon Valley and I’m extremely grateful for everything they have given me – national opportunities, personal growth, and most importantly, such a supportive community where I was able to learn and adapt.”
Jennifer is now attending St. Olaf College in Minnesota as the first in her family to attend a 4-year college.
Change the Game for MORE Kids! Like Jennifer
As we look to 2027, we need your help to build on this momentum. A monthly pledge is the most powerful way you can support our kids. Your commitment provides the stability and resources necessary to help thousands of youth grow into resilient, confident, and compassionate leaders.
A gift of any size helps us add classes, support our coaching staff, and reach more underserved young people across Silicon Valley:
- $1,000 – Sponsor a full year of golf and life-skills programming for a low-income student, including course fees, equipment, and coaching ($80 a Month)
- $500 – Support one of our signature participant events, the Girls Golf Tournament or our Annual College Day Tournament, helping cover costs so interested participants can take part ($40 a Month)
- $250 – Cover the registration fee for one low-income student (ONLY $20 a Month)
- $100 – Provide golf equipment and program materials for a student
Make your annual donation OR a monthly pledge today, and help us Change the Game for MORE Kids tomorrow.