Tag: Change the Game

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Alexandra Varo

FTSV is Changing the Game for MORE Kids! Meet Alexandra Varo. As a participant, Alexandra attributes much of her achievements to the support and skills learned at First Tee – Silicon Valley.

Alexandra’s achievements include:

“I can say that I am a different person now than when I first joined First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says Alexandra. “I consider First Tee – Silicon Valley to be my greatest support system that has given me a place to practice and develop my personal skills.”

A recent graduate from Willow Glen High School, Alexandra is currently attending San Jose State University. She has been an outstanding participant with FTSV since she started in 2021 and quickly started volunteer coaching. As a coach, she has accumulated over 220 hours of service, giving back her time in a meaningful and effective way. Alexandra regularly attends our Girls Golf events as both a participant and a coach and assists at our fundraisers.

“I enjoy volunteering as well as participating in First Tee because it provides an environment where I am able to learn more about myself, learn important life lessons through golf, and gain confidence” says Alexandra. “Throughout the golf seasons, I have learned how to become a better leader and I enjoy assisting in classes to contribute to a positive and fun environment for participants. I look forward to continuing in First Tee as a participant and a volunteer.”

Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff.  The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!

There are many ways to help First Tee – Silicon Valley Change the Game for MORE Kids… like Alexandra. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference. 

Give Now!

Published 12-05-2024

Origins of #GivingTuesday: When did Giving Tuesday Start?

Origins of GivingTuesday: When did Giving Tuesday Start? According to the national GivingTuesday organization, “GivingTuesday was born and incubated at the 92nd Street Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York City. GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.”

2024 #GivingTuesday: December 3rd – #GivingTuesday happens annually on the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The fundamental idea and vision of the GivingTuesday concept is Generosity. The GivingTuesday organization says “Generosity is uplifting, generative, equalizing, and connecting.” Furthermore, “Generosity is GivingTuesday’s universal rallying cry and the foundation of our strategies.”

Origins of GivingTuesday: When did Giving Tuesday Start? FTSV

This #GivingTuesday, First Tee – Silicon Valley needs help from YOU to Change the Game for MORE Kids!

Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff.  The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!

We are committed to providing affordable access to all youth – no matter their financial hardship or background. We need support from the community to grow affordable access for our youth development golf and life skills program at our 3 golf course locations. Help us provide an 8-week session to 200 additional participants.

Origins of GivingTuesday: When did Giving Tuesday Start? Change the game

There are many ways to help First Tee – Silicon Valley Change the Game for MORE Kids. The most convenient way to help MORE Kids is to make a pledge. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference. 

Give Now!

Published: 11-27-24

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Isabella Herrera

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet one of FTSV’s most active participants – Isabella Herrera.

Isabella is a rising senior and has been a highly engaged participant since 2013. She has taken multiple classes each year, participated in our Girls Golf program, represented our chapter at PGA TOUR Superstore events, has volunteered at our community outreach events, and coached classes. Isabella is also an Ace program participant, taking on the extra challenge as she works to become Ace certified. 

Amongst many of Isabella’s accomplishments and opportunities, she participated in the First Tee Game Changers Academy Honoring Joe Louis Barrow Jr. A five-day learning and empowerment academy. Attending participants participate in important conversations embracing topics of self-awareness, inclusivity, and community building. First Tee invites its partner, RISE, a national leader in the sports community championing social justice, to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops paired with introspective activities and reflections led by our nationally trained First Tee coaches. 

The experience is designed to enlighten, inspire, encourage, and position our teens to be Game Changers in their current and future communities. The academy is the ultimate tribute to Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., a fearless champion of change.

According to Isabella “A game changer is someone who is constantly pushing personal and societal boundaries in order to create a lasting impact on the world around them.” She does so consistently in her role as a junior coach, leading and teaching by example. She also pushes herself as a member of the Youth on Course Leadership Council, advocating for her peers on a national level.

During the week, Isabella attended workshops, met inspirational people, and completed group activities all based around building leadership and teamwork skills. For Isabella, one of the most memorable actives was when she played golf with Victoria Arlen. Victoria is a four-time paralympic medalist in swimming, an ESPN sportscaster, and even performed on Dancing with the Stars, all after having to re-learn how to walk after losing the ability to eat, speak, walk and even more.

Changing the Game by embracing your self-identity

For Isabella, her biggest take away was about herself identity. “My self-identity isn’t something casual I brush past, it’s something I should fully embrace and be proud of. The more pride I have, the more connection I have to myself and that strengthens my self-identity. Putting myself out there when I play golf is what makes me special. Golf is traditionally a white male sport, so being able to not only represent girls but also Latinas when I am playing hopefully can help inspire others to do the same, not just in golf but in sports in general. Representation matters!” Isabella has been a voice for Diversity, Identity and Equality within the game of golf and continues to advocate through outreach and awareness amongst her peers and beyond.

Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff.  The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!

There are many ways to help First Tee – Silicon Valley Change the Game for MORE Kids… like Isabella. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference. 

Ways to Give

Published: 11-22-24

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet Tristian Hipolito

Changing the Game for MORE Kids: Meet one of First Tee – Silicon Valley’s long-time participants – Tristian Hipolito.

Tristan has been a wonderful part of our program since he transferred from the First Tee East Bay chapter 9 years ago. Tristan is one of the most active participants in our program, taking multiple classes every season, participating in all of our off-season events, and coaching on Saturdays. He is an empathetic and thoughtful individual who leads by example and is committed to self-improvement. 

Leadership in Action

As a participant, Tristan continuously goes above and beyond. He speaks up and contributes to Life Skill discussions, works exceptionally hard on improving his golf game, and actively seeks out other ways where he can be of service. He recently represented First Tee in the national Participant Advisory Council in Florida where he was one of eight selected from around the country. Tristan is also a member of our Junior Council where he leads his subcommittee on raising money and donations for our chapter.

Tristan often speaks about developing these leadership skills through the Life Skill lessons taught by FTSV Coaches and Mentors. Specifically, Goal Setting and Overcoming Challenges. Tristan spoke about these skills at the FTSV 2024 OPEN Tournament:

Recently, Tristian was awarded the 2024 Dennis Kettman Memorial Scholarship. Each year golfers in the Dennis Kettmann Memorial Tournament raise funds to remember Dennis. Their generosity underwrites this special $5,000 college scholarship for a FTSV chosen participant.

We are a National Leader. We lead the nation among the 140 First Tee chapters in several key program measures including the highest number of participants selected to national academies and leadership opportunities:

85% diversity       48% low-income

55% retention      1:4 mentor ratio

There are many ways to help First Tee – Silicon Valley Change the Game for MORE Kids… like Tristan. $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference. 

Ways to Give

Change the Game for MORE Kids!

First Tee – Silicon Valley needs help from you to Change the Game for MORE Kids!

We have MORE Capacity. First Tee – Silicon Valley is thrilled to share that we have a new 25-year agreement for expanded access at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course which doubles our course capacity. We have the space to help 10,000 kids annually – now we need the funding to support our growth.

Mentoring is Priceless.  If you had a mentor growing up, you know that having someone to listen and give guidance to overcome life’s challenges can be transforming. When we look back on the over 100,000 kids First Tee – Silicon Valley has worked with, we are filled with pride and joy knowing that our mentors and our youth development program was there for the kids of our community.

We have Long-term Mentoring Impact. Our intentional focus on the recruitment, retention and progression of our participants has a big impact.

100% of our long-term kids and teens graduate high school

100% of our long-term teens attend college

100% learn life skills that make them good citizens! 

75% of our long-term high school participants give back as junior mentors

Our Kids Face Heavy Stuff.  The pressures of social media, loneliness, mental health struggles, family dynamics, peer and family judgment, inequities of living in Silicon Valley and devastating world events are all adversely affecting youth. FTSV creates a supportive, safe, and positive environment where kids are empowered to be themselves, and feel included!

We are a National Leader. We lead the nation among the 140 First Tee chapters in several key program measures including the highest number of participants selected to national academies and leadership opportunities:

85% diversity       48% low-income

55% retention      1:4 mentor ratio

Meet Alexandra. “I can say that I am a different person now than when I first joined First Tee – Silicon Valley,” says Alexandra. “I consider First Tee – Silicon Valley to be my greatest support system that has given me a place to practice and develop my personal skills.” Listen to Alexandra share her personal story and how FTSV is helping her on her journey to be the first in her family to attend college.

$500 Donation.  Will underwrite one low-income course participant and one Title 1 student to experience our school program. That’s $40 a month for high-quality mentorship teaching our character-building life lessons that have proven to make a difference. 

Ways to Give.   We are locally funded by people like you! Consider a recurring or one-time donation or select FTSV as your Company Matching or Donor Advised Funds charity.

Click Here for credit card donation or make a pledge to mail us a check.

PUBLISHED: 11-7-2024