For nearly 50 children in four communities, this summer brought more than baseballs, kickballs, and time outdoors. It brought encouragement, new friendships, caring mentors, and the confidence that comes from being part of a team.

From Chicago and Kalamazoo to Dover, Delaware, and Levittown, Pennsylvania, young people participated in a series of DEA Educational Foundation youth sports programs led by DEAEF Youth Sports Director Rick Zeitlin. While each community's program looked a little different, every child had the opportunity to learn new skills, stay active, and discover the life lessons that sports can teach.

The summer began in Chicago's Ukrainian Village, where the Geraty Foundation supported two weeks of baseball instruction at Smith Park. Twelve children, ages 7 to 11, learned the fundamentals of throwing, catching, hitting, and teamwork through drills, games, and scrimmages. Each participant also received a baseball glove, hat, T-shirt, and baseball, giving them the opportunity to continue practicing long after the program ended.

A few days later, children in Kalamazoo, Michigan, took the field for a summer kickball program supported by DEAEF National and Walter Wang. The program was created after local organizers, who had partnered with DEAEF on spring break kickball programs for the past three years, asked for another opportunity to keep neighborhood children active during the summer.

One unexpected moment captured the spirit of the day.

As parents dropped off their children, one mother asked about the program's activities. After learning about the kicking drills, games, and scrimmages, she decided to stay and play. Another parent joined her, and before long six parents were on the field alongside their children.

The day ended with a friendly scrimmage between the children and a team made up of Coach Rick, the participating parents, and School Resource Officer Mark Mellinger. The children came away with the victory, proving that teamwork and enthusiasm can be just as important as experience. Even temperatures topping 100 degrees couldn't dampen the excitement, as local volunteers kept everyone cool with spray bottles while laughter echoed across the field.

In Dover, Delaware, the program highlighted something equally meaningful: the lasting relationships that can grow through youth sports.

Many of the participants at Sankofa Intercultural League have been part of DEAEF programs for years. Some first met Coach Rick during DEAEF's first virtual baseball program in the spring of 2020. Today, several of those children are now in high school and continue playing baseball. One participant has returned every year since that first virtual season, while his older brother now serves as a camp counselor, encouraging the next generation of young players.

Each afternoon, another group of children gathered in Levittown, Pennsylvania, for baseball with No Longer Bound, an after-school and summer camp program serving youth ages 6 to 13. Through drills, scrimmages, and games, participants strengthened their skills, built friendships, and received baseball gloves, hats, T-shirts, and baseballs to continue practicing at home.

The Dover and Levittown programs were supported by CTBC.

Although each community had its own story, they all shared something in common. Children left with new skills, new friendships, and caring adults who believed in them. Some discovered a new sport. Others returned to reconnect with friends and mentors they had known for years. All experienced the encouragement, teamwork, and sense of belonging that DEAEF strives to create through every youth sports program.

Long after the final games ended, the lessons of the summer remained. Whether learning a new skill, cheering on a teammate, or simply discovering that trusted adults believed in them, these young people left with far more than athletic experience. They left with confidence, connection, and memories that will last well beyond the season.

This fall, DEAEF will continue bringing baseball, kickball, and other youth sports programs to communities across the country through Operation Engage and the Foundation's generous donors, creating even more opportunities for young people to grow both on and off the field.