tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78961062369720821622024-03-13T04:39:39.923-07:00The Grassroot ProjectThe mission of The Grassroot Project is to use sports to educate at-risk youth in the community about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
The Grassroot Project is a non-profit, student run HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program, using the role model status of Division I college students and the popular platform of sports to empower at-risk youths with the knowledge and skills to lead healthy lives.Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-59685406925799978892011-05-06T16:27:00.000-07:002011-05-06T16:36:55.614-07:00Udodi's Last Post<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdfeGG2b0VA/TcSF2tSWPjI/AAAAAAAAADI/6FBiEtEPLFU/s1600/230079_1753296752556_1243020056_31715038_5455566_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdfeGG2b0VA/TcSF2tSWPjI/AAAAAAAAADI/6FBiEtEPLFU/s400/230079_1753296752556_1243020056_31715038_5455566_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603751011271720498" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BYKWhH1XhuA/TcSEqW09DCI/AAAAAAAAADA/gJ0eXQjMmHE/s1600/230079_1753296752556_1243020056_31715038_5455566_n.jpg"><br /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" >My last sessions at the schools were bittersweet. I will miss the good times each site provided. Every child, head coach, and games played showed taught me something new (my personal favorite: Jefferson!). If I could have gone back and changed anything I think I would have preferred to do two sites but on different days, one on Tuesday and Friday. That would have probably allowed me to work with athletes from one of the other partner schools. Despite the things I would have liked to change, in reality everything worked out fine for the most part. The graduation ceremony last week rounded up my semester long internship.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" > Graduation this year was held at Howard University. There was a buzz about this being something new, and the first time it was held outside of Georgetown. When I arrived to the facilities I was surprised to find everyone in a large gym with blow up games. I thought it was going to be more of an assembly. It was really fun though, and I would have taken that over an assembly any day. The coaches were still able to assemble a time where all the different schools came together and the students shared what they enjoyed and had learned from the program. Head coaches from each site were able to “shout out” their favorite student from their site. As each school arrived they were directed to sign a giant piece of paper saying what they had learned as well, so everyone had a voice.</span><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" > There were so many kids that I won’t lie, even though I’m a good four years or more older than them they were still intimidating. However, I put my poker face on and helped out wherever I was asked. As a graduation gift the kids received their certificates and goody bags with Grassroot’s t-shirts, some other swag, and encouraging words for the kids . I received my first Grassroot tshirt as well. Tyler was present at this event with a new look and I didn’t reconginize him at first! (He had just returned from Africa looking very tan.) He talked to the kids and thanked them for being a part of Grassroot’s spring semester. </span><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" > I definitely enjoyed my time with GRP and it has taught me a lot of things. My favorite part of the whole program is its mission. HIV/AIDS is a very important topic that seems to go under the radar, teaching kids about how to protect themselves and all of the stigmas around HIV/AIDS will hopefully reverse the rising rates of infection in the city. It was a great opportunity and I am glad that I got the chance to be this semester’s high school intern for the GRP. Diva had said that the most important part of this program was for the kids to go out and <b>share</b> everything they learned in GRP and I’ll continue to go out and share in my communities what I’ve learned from this program.</span></p> <span style="font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:transparent;" ></span><span style="font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:transparent;" ></span><span style="font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:transparent;" ></span><span style="font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:transparent;" ></span>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-47285118067311770402011-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:002011-04-10T10:13:13.965-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOViyhL7heY/TaHka7_l-HI/AAAAAAAAAC4/oerdXCPdyjY/s1600/udodi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 228px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOViyhL7heY/TaHka7_l-HI/AAAAAAAAAC4/oerdXCPdyjY/s400/udodi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594003363603019890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Udodi's Update:<br /><br /></span></div><p style="text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: georgia;" id="internal-source-marker_0.6371881983189147"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The past few</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">weeks since my last blog post have been long but full of exciting times. I started at my Francis- Stevens site and continued at Jefferson Middle. The first day at Francis I got to meet my site leader, Jackie, she was nice and later gave me my ‘Grassroots Coach’ sweatshirt. I was so siked when I got it; it made me feel like an official member of the team. </span></p><p style="text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I really like how my schedule worked out. I run to Francis- Stevens from my school right after my third period. Francis is five or six blocks away, almost a mile or so. The first few times that I was there we were with a different group of students every time. We always had fun but it was kind of frustrating that the kids were not consistent. I have been learning how to better interact with them as a GRP coach. I was in the group that Jackie was leading and she or one of the other GRP members would lead the discussion. We played ‘Fact or Nonsense’ and I got to work with the kids. They were funny but I’m glad that they took the lesson seriously and that they would talk and say what they believed the answer was without me always having to prompt them. The kids get really into it when they answer correctly and get a shout out.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p style="text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After getting out of Francis-Steven I head back to school, change out of my running clothes and sit down to do a little school work and eat lunch before it is time to go to Jefferson. I also do this site with people from Georgetown. Out of both of my sites, I would have to say that Jefferson is the one I like best. The kids are really funny and get a good laugh out of us. The kids at Jefferson are pretty consistent. Our group has actually grown since my first day. I have also been able to get to know them better. The kids are really into it and that encourages me. Another thing that really makes my time at Jefferson enjoyable is that we pretty much go over the same lesson I did at Francis so I get a second try at doing the lesson and I feel that I do it better. I have not yet been assigned to lead a game, but was assigned to lead the praise circle. I have not </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">yet</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> done it but I’m really excited to! I mostly assist with games as an extra eye, like when we play ‘Find the Ball’ I check behind the kids to make sure that they are not cheating. Additionally, I get to take score when we play games. These are just small things but they help me feel like I’m a part of the group and I’m getting involved. </span></p><p style="text-indent: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m excited for the future because I will have more experience at being a Grassroots coach. I’m also excited to get involved with other aspects of GRP. So far so good!</span></p>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-30704336947071129222011-02-25T11:28:00.000-08:002011-02-25T11:30:26.987-08:00Shout out from our newest high school athlete Coach, Udodi<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Coming into the Grassroots program I didn’t really know what to expect. I guess I was really excited to meet the college athletes and get the program started. I found training to be rather intimidating. I was expecting there to be more high school interns, but it turned out I wasthe only one! It was intimidating because all of these people were college athletes and I feltrather mediocre compared to them. Most of the athletes had gone to a training session already and knew what to expect. I also felt over dressed in a room full of people in sweats whileI was wearing a skirt, but that’s how I normally dress! They did turn out to be nice people andtraining was fun. We did debriefs of the activities that we would be working on with the kids. We played Choices, Where’s the Ball, Fact/ Nonsense, My Supporters, and a game where people reenacted how your immune system works to protect you and what HIV does to it. They were all fun! Going over those games before actually going into the classrooms really came in handy when I was at my schools and we played them. One of my favorite things about Grassroots is the ‘shout out’ and everyone’s funny nicknames.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Week 1/ Week 2 – Francis and Jefferson</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I was excited to start the program, but I was also a little scared about working with middle school, DC public school students! I didn’t grow up in DC but I knew that they could berowdy. Surprisingly, my first session at Jefferson was actually pretty fun, but there were not that many students because of the snow. They were not as badly behaved as I thought. I got to meet my team and I didn’t really feel out of place. I did feel a little awkward at first because I didn’t really know what to do with myself, but my head coach promised to get me more involved the following session. The next week I got to go to my other location, Francis, for the first time; it was also fun. The kids get really into it and it’s nice to see the students who already knew a lot about Grassroots because this was their second time in the program. I’m glad they had a good time while learning. I’m excited for the weeks up ahead.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">- Udodi Mary</p> <!--EndFragment-->Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-55558929586003215592011-02-25T11:26:00.000-08:002011-02-25T11:31:04.391-08:00Lauren Thomas- Grassroot Project Reflection<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My name is Lauren Thomas and I am a senior at Georgetown University. I am from Alexandria, Virginia but lived most of my childhood abroad in Singapore and Belgium. I am a student athlete at Georgetown University, as I have been a member of the Women’s Lacrosse Team for the past four years. I heard of Grassroots from one of my teammates earlier on in the beginning of the semester and I was really interested in becoming a part of the program. I met with Deidra Sanders and she told me a bit more about what the program was all about and how I could become a volunteer. I am also enrolled in a Community Based Learning Social Justice class this semester and one of the requirements of the course is to work with an agency in the D.C community. Part of the course work involves completing four hours of community work each week for ten weeks and after hearing about Grassroots, I thought this would be a perfect fit for me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After I decided to become a volunteer I attended two training sessions before our first week of going out to the schools. These training sessions not only taught me a lot about HIV/AIDS facts I never knew before, but it was also really eye opening to see the many student athletes involved in the program and the passion they all had for making a difference in the community. This passion for the program really fueled me even more to want to be a part of the program and involve myself, offer my time and explore an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young teens. After the two training sessions, I was not exactly sure what to expect to provide for the kids but since the program has started, I immediately realized the ways in which I was going to be able to make an impact and provide for the kids I was going to begin working with. I want to be a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">role models for the kids. I not only foresee myself opening up discussion about serious issues, but I also see myself getting much exposure to issues of social inequalities in education and health and see that I can make a difference in the lives of these young kids. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think this program offers a unique and special opportunity for Division I college athletes to become engaged in their local community. I want to show how I have become a successful college athlete that has been able to manage my time in balancing school and sports. I want to show how I have set and achieved goals and ultimately learned how to work in a team environment, and overcome hardship. My goal throughout this whole process is to serve as a positive role model for others. I hope to form relationships with these kids at the same time as teaching them knowledge about HIV/AIDS.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I want the kids to interact and have fun while learning and interacting with the Grassroots volunteers who can help them develop a love of learning and playing, as well as attitudes and skills to live healthy and HIV-free lives. Not only do I take on a leadership role and become knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS in general and, specifically, in Washington D.C, I hope as a result of this experience, the kids I work with will be able to continue to develop as socially mindful people and future leaders.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-44394829231773434912010-10-21T17:48:00.000-07:002010-10-21T17:50:38.252-07:00You Stay Classy, Grassroot Project<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TMDfv4E8y5I/AAAAAAAAACo/qbV3AnIzMvg/s1600/4189_photo_1_low_res.txt"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TMDfv4E8y5I/AAAAAAAAACo/qbV3AnIzMvg/s400/4189_photo_1_low_res.txt" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530666356010961810" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div>Hey guys,<div><br /></div><div>The Grassroot Project has been nominated for the Stay Classy Awards: DC! </div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike Pepsi- this is actually something we can win! We have already gotten past the nomination round, the judging round, and are in the final round. There are only 4 other org's in our category, which is for best college organization. The prize is up to $25,000 in money, in-kind donations, and consulting services.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike Pepsi, you only have to vote ONCE total and it is easy to do! Voting ends tomorrow, October 22nd at 9pm! </div><div><br /></div><div>Please take 2 minutes out of your day to do this!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://classyawards.stayclassy.org/classy-awards?city_id=19" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204); ">http://classyawards.<wbr>stayclassy.org/<span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 136); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">classy</span>-awards?<wbr>city_id=19</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>We're kind of a big deal...</div><div><br /></div></span>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-79145393957971787402010-10-12T17:18:00.000-07:002010-10-12T17:26:06.544-07:003rd Annual Grassroot Fest a success!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TLT79yZT9QI/AAAAAAAAACY/3fAocxwdlE4/s1600/grassroot.fest.10.02.10+107.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TLT79yZT9QI/AAAAAAAAACY/3fAocxwdlE4/s400/grassroot.fest.10.02.10+107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527319681608971522" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 48.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"></p><span><span>Last Saturday on October the 2nd, the Grassroots Hoyas put on their annual Grassroots Fest. The Fest is the annual fundraiser that spreads HIV/AIDS prevention awareness and raises money for the cause. This year the Fest focused on “Lose the Shoes” and hosted a 3v3 barefoot soccer tournament. </span></span><div><br /></div><div><span><span> A month long campaign had pre-registered many teams. Excitement filled North Kehoe field as teammates furiously set up the tables and fields; thankfully helpers from all over, which included Georgetown and Howard worked together to finish last-minute details. Hungry competitors filled into the field ready to kick off their shoes. As the teams signed-in and received their wildly popular Hi-viz shirts, others nibbled on the delicious chips and salsa from Qdoba and the Georgetown Cupcakes. </span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>Action commenced with a thanks and a reminder of the day’s goals. Teams broke up into smaller group for group play. This stage decided who would make the cut into the highly touted elimination round; only eight teams made the cut. After a quick regrouping to give out Team-up bands to the 8 teams, action commenced. The elimination rounds brought out a new sense of urgency in all 8 teams. They wanted the Tomb’s gift certificate. In the end there could only be one and the Falklands triumphed over all.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TLT8VzosQeI/AAAAAAAAACg/Yx1OhcrBY1g/s400/grassroot.fest.10.02.10+063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527320094258774498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span><span>Overall the 3rd annual Grassroots Fest was a success. All the competitors had a great time, and most importantly we spread awareness. Everyone looks forward to the spring when Grassroots Fests brings the 5k run and more prizes. </span></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"></p></div>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-63590945708361678352010-09-30T06:01:00.001-07:002010-10-02T16:00:05.045-07:00Hands up!<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Last Friday we started out first program of the semester at Francis Stevens EC. The Grassroot Project curriculum has lots of fun ways to get kids' attention. Instead of yelling "quiet" or "shhh," instead Athlete Coaches have key words or phrases that get the kids to respond in unison. All the sudden, the room is silent, and we are ready to move onto the next activity. It really works wonders- try it sometime when you are in a big group! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One such mechanism is the “Lions and Tigers and Bears”. When the coaches yell this out, all the kids respond “Oh My!” Another favorite is to simply yell “Hands Up”. Normally, the kids all put both hands in the air. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Once again, the kids at Francis Stevens continue to surprise us!</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This time, when TSpence yelled “Hands Up,” the kids responded: “ AAAND THEY STAY THERE!”</span></span></p><object width="450" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GGXzlRoNtHU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GGXzlRoNtHU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="360"></embed></object>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-35654448611808074722010-09-23T18:57:00.000-07:002010-09-23T19:04:40.501-07:00What would we do...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJwG4NYHsWI/AAAAAAAAACQ/wBWz0_BzC6E/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJwG4NYHsWI/AAAAAAAAACQ/wBWz0_BzC6E/s400/IMG_0733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520294805982654818" /></a><br />What would we do without Deidra aka Diva?!<div><br /></div><div>Programs getting ready to ROLLOUT next week!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-2873430381422272932010-09-22T15:51:00.000-07:002010-09-23T18:56:42.716-07:00The Latest Shout Outs: The Show DownTo round out our Athletes2coaches training last weekend, we had our bi-annual Shout Out competition, to see which group of athletes could come up with the coolest shout outs. <div><br /></div><div>Let's give 'em a G-Root!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><object width="400" height="230"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2snoT7_Enno?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2snoT7_Enno?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="230"></embed></object>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-43628246458160653352010-09-21T20:01:00.000-07:002010-09-21T20:06:49.121-07:003v3 Soccer Tournament: Grassroot Fest! October 2nd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJlyE-CV00I/AAAAAAAAACI/3oLzIS-Oc9w/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-09-21+at+11.03.16+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJlyE-CV00I/AAAAAAAAACI/3oLzIS-Oc9w/s320/Screen+shot+2010-09-21+at+11.03.16+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519568248017113922" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">BAREFOOT SOCCER.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">FREE FOOD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS.</div></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; ">Saturday October 2nd, 1-3pm at Kehoe Field</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />What more could you want?<br /><br />Come help us support Grassroot Hoyas HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the DC area! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Form a team of three members, pay the entrance fee of $30 which includes awesome t-shirts with the above logo. We provide, Georgetown Cupcakes, Qdoba salsa bar, and more.<br /><br />Even if you don’t play soccer come and help cheer for your friends!<br /><br />contact kam276@georgetown.edu with questions<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To sign up and pay your registration fee online, <a href="http://www.grassrootproject.org/grassroothoyasfest.shtml">click here</a>! All proceeds go to run our programs. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peace up, AIDS down!</span></span></span></div>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-53081346342020087242010-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:002010-09-20T08:00:00.535-07:00Shoutout to Grassroots from Newest Bison: Doriean Broady aka Dora<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJbBcGm7XMI/AAAAAAAAACA/4WT7zqemmlE/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-09-19+at+10.04.18+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJbBcGm7XMI/AAAAAAAAACA/4WT7zqemmlE/s320/Screen+shot+2010-09-19+at+10.04.18+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518811081943506114" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Initially I joined Grassroots because I felt the need to join a volunteer organization as a Freshman at Howard University. But now that I have spent two weekends with this squad and am now an official member, I realize the coaches are more than just a volunteer organization. They do more than just teach kids about HIV/AIDS prevention; they are lifelong mentors and friends to the kids involved. I feel like I am helping out my community but also I am getting something out of this. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first Saturday was the toughest because at the time I was the only Bison at the meeting but after we started the ice breaker my comfort level increased because I realized we are all here for a common goal: to make an impact in someone' s lives. All of the games we played have key messages behind them. The coaches emphasized to always go over the key messages in all the games, because that 's the main focus, and to also have fun with the kids. I believe the kids will enjoy the games we will have to offer and I look forward to going to my first school and meeting the kids. I am forever grateful to me a member of the Grassroot Project. </div>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-30846612551975634892010-09-18T04:53:00.000-07:002010-09-19T19:07:47.849-07:00Big Daddy G: Programs Coordinator reflects on Athletes2Coaches training<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The 2010-2011 school year is proving to be yet another great year for THE GRASSROOT PROJECT!! It seems that our current athlete coaches at Georgetown, Howard and George Washington have continued to spread the word about what a great opportunity we have to use our status as student athletes to educate D.C. youth about HIV/AIDS. Large representations of newcomers who are learning the curriculum and returning athletes who have volunteered their time to help out at training have the future of Grassroots looking bright!<br /><br />It's been an awesome experience seeing our programs come together at the beginning of each semester and I'm always amazed at how willing student-athletes are to volunteer their precious time for a cause they know is greater than themselves. Being at training everyday and working with these amazing student-athletes from George Washington, Howard and Georgetown has been an inspiration!</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Greg</span></span></span></div>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-13033059779084207182010-09-16T19:30:00.000-07:002010-09-19T19:09:16.236-07:00From Maggie "GI" Girard: one of our newest Grassroot Hoyas!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJLVKjKfxQI/AAAAAAAAABU/U3Vu8gERLZc/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-09-16+at+3.10.30+PM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJLVKjKfxQI/AAAAAAAAABU/U3Vu8gERLZc/s320/Screen+shot+2010-09-16+at+3.10.30+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517706870696953090" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-size:16px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when everyone told me that Grassroots training is really fun. I mean, AIDS games?! Fun?! My own early AIDS education consisted of a video that basically repeated the mantras "DON'T HAVE SEX" and "DON'T MIX BLOOD TO BECOME BLOOD BROTHERS" over and over for 20 minutes (hooray for public schools in the 90s). But the first two days of training were a blast! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A lot of the activities were games that I played in elementary school, and it was really cool to see how they were turned into lessons not only about HIV and AIDS, but about balancing your life, standing up to peer pressure, and making good choices. Sending important messages in such a fun and interactive way makes me feel like a real role model that kids can like and respect, instead of making me seem like some random person sent into schools to terrorize children about STIs. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Also, as an athlete, I love meeting other athletes from different sports and different schools and seeing what kind of experiences we all share. My sport is such an important part of my life, and it's really powerful to be surrounded by people who are as dedicated as I am to their own teams and sports. It's pretty awesome that Grassroots recognizes how special athletes are and how much influence they can have on young students</span></span></div></span>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896106236972082162.post-91277825282532383362010-09-16T19:26:00.000-07:002010-09-19T19:10:05.260-07:00Welcome to the Grassroot Project Blog!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJLUrsB7KhI/AAAAAAAAABM/vi8ObEuh43A/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9wpTrTo6t88/TJLUrsB7KhI/AAAAAAAAABM/vi8ObEuh43A/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517706340500974098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Welcome to the Grassroot Project Blog! Throughout the year, we will have different athlete coaches, middle school youth, and guests posting about their involvement in the Grassroot Project.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">We just finished the first weekend of the September 2010 Athletes2Coaches training. Our newest coaches come from 3 schools, 11 different sports, 20 different teams, and amount to SEVENTY awesome athletes and mentors!!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Check back to hear what it is like to be a new Grassroot Hoya from Maggie "GI" Girard, a member of the women's lightweight rowing team at Georgetown!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">To learn about our Team Up program and our youth both in South Africa and DC, make sure to stay updated with the </span></span><a href="http://2010teamup.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Team Up Blog!</span></span></a></div><div><br /></div></span>Grassroothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115173641026184285noreply@blogger.com1