“Sports Have the Power to Change Lives”: Q+A with Kristen Garmey of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation
LISC is working with The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation to jumpstart youth sports infrastructure projects in communities where support and opportunity are scarce. In a Q+A with The DICK’S Foundation’s Kristen Garmey, we learn why improving athletic spaces for youth in under-resourced communities is so important to The DICK’S Foundation, and to Garmey.
Every community deserves safe, quality sports facilities where young people and their families can play, exercise and spend time together.
To jumpstart youth sports infrastructure projects in communities where support and opportunity are scarce, LISC and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation recently awarded $1.275 million in grant funding to 15 organizations through the Game On-Community Places to Play initiative. With grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 each, these organizations are leading an array of sports facilities projects, including a new youth equestrian center in Detroit, a resurfaced soccer field in San Diego and a renovated baseball facility in Pittsburgh.
As we gear up for the next phase of the Game On initiative – which provides technical assistance to help the 15 organizations move their projects forward to completion – LISC checked in with Kristen Garmey, Director of Sports Matter and Community Relations at The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. Check out our Q+A below to learn why supporting youth sports facilities is so important to The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, and to Garmey.
Why has The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation made a commitment to improve athletic spaces for youth in under-resourced communities?
Many communities lack access to quality sports facilities. By improving these spaces, we are breaking down a barrier of infrastructure and reducing inequalities in access to sports opportunities, ensuring that all young people have the chance to participate in sports and benefit from the associated life lessons.
What makes LISC a good partner for The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation?
At The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, we believe that sports have the power to change lives, and we value partnering with organizations like LISC that share that belief. The DICK’S Foundation also has a deep regard for being a part of our local communities, which is why we love that LISC requires each community we support to match our grant with funds raised locally.
What does it mean to you, on a personal level, to be helping create safe, quality athletic spaces in communities that lack them?
I have been working with The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation for three years and have seen so many lives positively impacted by organizations that invest in their communities and actively work to make better and safer spaces for their youth. Sports can teach valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership, and perseverance. By improving athletic spaces, The Foundation is aiming to provide safe and nurturing environments for young athletes to develop both physically and personally – and I’m so grateful to be a part of the process. It’s a privilege to partner with LISC and continue to impact athletes in those communities supported through our partnership.
