Sponsorship Stories

Isidro’s Baseball Experience

“Though one of the youngest players on the trip, Isidro grew by leaps and bounds. He eagerly jumped into community service, setting an example for others through his energy and compassion. At our closing night dinner, he shared that his biggest takeaway was realizing he can make a difference in the world—a powerful lesson for someone so young.”

~Isaias Franco, Global Baseball Adventures Founder

Jesse’s Baseball Experience

“Jesse’s eyes were opened to the impact he could make in building connections across cultures. He became like family to the Dominican friends and coaches, taking on leadership roles as a liaison between our American and Dominican players. Using both his baseball skills and language abilities, Jesse bridged gaps and helped players connect regardless of cultural differences.”

~Isaias Franco, Global Baseball Adventures Founder

W. Patrick Singing Lesson Experience

“Last summer, our son Patrick Ezell received a generous sponsorship from YES to attend musical theater workshops at California Theater Conservatory. Through this experience he grew significantly in agency, ownership, motivation, confidence, and character.

With both his dad and I running our own summer camp, Patrick had to arrange his own transportation, pack his own lunch and prepare his own monologues and solos for the workshops. He even took the SMART train for the first time with some older participants. He was punctual and prepared and communicated well with us about performances. This agency gave him an opportunity to grow more independent and more confident as a result.

Patrick received individual and small group coaching of his dance, voice and acting skills and was even selected for additional coaching at two studio nights, one monologue and one voice solo (see attached). His voice teacher gave him a goal to master “motivated gestures,” and he did. He practiced stage combat with a professional actor. A beginner at dance, Patrick improved his ballet, tap, and jazz skills and tried swing dancing for the first time. He received tailored coaching on a poem he selected and memorized and plans to perform it in competition this year. As he encouraged others and received feedback from fellow coaches and students, his character grew as well as the CTC community.

Recently Patrick received a supporting role in CTC’s Guys and Dolls: Arvide Abernathy. This is his largest role so far with a solo song.”

~Celeste, Parent of Sponsorship Recipient

“This past summer, because YES sponsored my participation in Theatre Workshops with California Theatre Conservatory, I was able to revisit my central motivation for why I do Theatre, to tell humanising stories with relatable and fascinating characters.

I was granted the opportunity to get closer to understanding my singing, when I worked with Alissa Deeter during the final week.

During these workshops, I grew in my confidence around dance, working with professionals like Elizabeth Casteneda, Sydney Ferrario, Tracy Barlow, and Kate Snyder, in the styles of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Swing/Lindy Hop.

YES also enabled me to work with the outstanding director, Rodney Franz, again, who I expected to work with at my High School all of last year, but was cut short because of complications with the school board.

These were such valuable experiences, and now I am in this Fall’s production with California Theatre Conservatory, Guys and Dolls, directed by Rodney Franz. I have a Supporting Lead role, and I will be performing an entire solo song, something I have not gotten a chance to do in an advanced setting yet.

Thank you so much! While writing the reflection, I really got clarity on why I’m doing this!”

~W.Patrick, Sponsored Youth

Quincy Sailing Experience

“I really loved the way we are able to help set the sails with the crew and help steer. I wanted to catch a halibut for my mom but I wasn’t that lucky. We got to sail and have lunch on Angel Island and that was so much fun. The best part is on the last day with the friends I made on the boat we got to have lots of ice cream and give a tour of the Seaward to our families. I got to show all I learned. I want to go again next summer.”

~Quincy, Sponsored Youth

Aloe Music Camp Experience

“Thank you Mr Glasser! I love music camp! We play drums, piano, keyboard, guitar, and make beats. I love the drums. We do this thing where if we hit the drums one time, that’s called Grape! We use our fingertips to make the sound Wa-Ter-Mel-On (four taps) and you also get to do this thing called mango. Man-go! We take turns going ‘one two, one two, Rest. man-go man-go. Rest. And Pineapple! Coconut! It’s fun. Love, Aloe”

~Aloe, Sponsored Youth

Chico’s Camping Experience in the Sierras

“Hi Mike we both are feeling grateful and amazed Just picked this little man up from the bus back from Shaffer’s High Sierra. He looked like he had really lived in the bush lol for weeks. Really a dream come true!! Swam in a lake up there that was warm because it was volcanic or something like that!? Rock climbing with “the buttes” in the background! Story after story of all the amazing adventures THANK you ALL for this life changer!!!!!”

~Parent of Sponsorship Recipient

“Hey Michael, Thank you so much for making this happen for Chico. His mom sent me these pics today along with this text.

“This experience gave us both a much needed connection to rest and the bigger world a fresh big deep breath Thank you!!!!

So wonderful what you are doing for these kids”

~Friend of Sponsorship Recipient

Aidan’s Baseball Experience in the Dominican Republic.

t”I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation since this whole trip began but especially since Aidan’s return. It’s hard to explain what he was like when he hopped into my car after the long flight home. He wasn’t “different” exactly but the most “him” I have ever seen. I know that must sound strange but it was like sitting with Aidan x’s 10. The most alert, most awake, most happy I have seen him in a long time. So completely in his body and spilling over with excitement to tell me how impacted he was with this experience. Just a few of the things he said that made my heart soar…”I realized that I needed to leave my phone behind every day so that I didn’t miss anything. I saw everything and the DR is amazing.” “ The big city areas and the hotels were not my favorite part. The little villages were my favorite. They have absolutely nothing and they are the happiest people you will ever meet.” Listening to him talk to the kids and teens from the DR in his room on WhatsApp is everything. They don’t understand each others language but they are like family now.

Aidan got to bring food and supplies to Pedro’s hometown and he was overwhelmed with an older man that he met. The man had nothing and lived in a crooked shed but was still caring for his blind sister and he was all smiles meeting Aidan. He hugged Aidan after Aidan gave him food and said the man would not let him go from his embrace. He gave Aidan a cross made out of wood and my son is wearing it still. Honestly the whole trip was eye opening and changed my son’s heart forever.

Pedro really loved Aidan as well and has extended an invitation for Aidan to return to the DR to play baseball at his academy for the rest of the Summer. He too saw something in Aidan that I was hoping for. It is an incredible opportunity for Aidan and so friends and family are rallying to pay for him to go back.

Pedro just told us to send him on a plane and Aidan is welcome for as long as he wants. Without your help getting him there last week he would have never had this opportunity. I will forever be grateful to you for trusting in us. Pedro is convinced that after a month Aidan will be speaking fluent Spanish and pitching 92 mph. Hahaha. I think after a month at his academy being of service and working hard playing ball he will be changed forever.

I will never be able to thank you enough. I promise we will pay it forward. I also promise we will send you video and testimonials for anything and everything you need. I will let Aidan tell you himself.”

~Elizabeth , Parent of Sponsorship Recipient

Aidan throwing a strike in the Dominican Republic during his return trip this summer!

Mia’s Ballet Experience

“I just wanted to send you a quick email. Your Mia, from your Championship Network, went up to our Mia and introduced herself! Our Mia came home so happy they connected and chatted. Your daughter offered her help and advice to our Mia.

It was cool because Mia remembers your daughter from when she was little!

I just wanted to say thank you! It sounded like a lovely exchange. Having support from an older dancer is really inspiring for our daughter. She looks up to the older dancers so much!”

~Parent of Sponsorship Recipient

“This is amazing news!! Thank you so much! I just told Mia she got the sponsorship and she said “A private with Ms. Cox!! I always wanted to be able to do that!” She is over the moon at the new possibilities and so are we. Everything listed that she will be able to do is an incredible opportunity for Mia!

Thank you for taking the time to review Mia’s application and approving her. We are beyond grateful and appreciative of your organization and the funding.

Mia’s commitment and love of ballet and MDT is real. Ballet serves her in her young life in so many different ways. It has been beautiful for us as her family to watch her follow her passion for ballet and performing.”

~Award Testimonial

“All of us at Marin Dance Theatre thank you and your foundation so much for the investment you’re making in young athletes in Marin County. I am confident that Mia will use your generosity in such meaningful ways. Your willingness to support her will help her reach her potential and contribute to the path of her future.

On behalf of the Marin Dance Theater community we are grateful for you and your organization!”

~Lynn Cox, Artistic Director

Kevin’s Baseball Experience

“At the Mr. October Foundation, we are committed to empowering under-resourced communities through education and life-changing opportunities, especially in STEM and athletics. Supporting YES and seeing Kevin’s dreams of excelling in baseball while developing life skills, building character, building confidence, and building connections within our communities. Seeing Kevin step onto the field at the farewell softball game at the Oakland Coliseum alongside Reggie Jackson and Oakland’s incredible supporters was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities unite to inspire and uplift youth. Together, we are proud to provide experiences that connect, empower, and transform young lives”

~Keith Loegering, Board Member, Mr. October Foundation