Boys & Girls Club Gallery | Summer Resource Fair Gallery

San Francisco, CA -- The Academy of Art University is coming off a year where they gained conference-wide recognition for their efforts in the community, but are by no means resting on their laurels, as multiple Urban Knights teams are continuing to find new ways to get involved in the community. This month alone, the women's soccer program and volleyball team gave back in their own ways, as the soccer team lent a hand to the Boy's & Girl's Club and both teams participated in the Summer Resource Fair, put on via a joint effort between the San Francisco Unified School District and SFKids.org.
  For the Urban Knights footballers, they started their week off helping out at the San Francisco Boys & Girls Club. Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco matches 100 girls with 100 women and 100 boys with 100 men for back to back "buddy" events filled with games and prizes, and the Knights went for a "Girls Night Out Buddy Night." The event provided an opportunity for members of the Boys & Girls Clubs to meet members of their community, and for the Urban Knights, a chance to reach out and inspire young people to dream big.

"It was really cool to see successful women interacting with the kids, giving them someone to look up to besides heir parents," said freshman Brooke Wagner. "There was a great sense of community."

"I was glad to give help to other volunteers and kids so that they could enjoy the day," said freshman Jule Klandt. "It was nice to see that a little help makes events like this one possible."

"I highly enjoyed the volunteer work I did with the Boys & Girls Club," said freshman Réa Laudat  "They have a great set-up, and I can see that it is benefiting people's lives."
  Two days later, the soccer team was joined by the Urban Knights volleyball team at the San Francisco Summer Resource Fair, a free showcase of summer activities for children, youth, and families. The Knights helped set up booths, directed parking, and were part of the meet and greet crew for the more than 3000 attendees to the event. Some Academy athletes worked booths entertaining the guests, and if you needed direction, coaches Ed and Alanna Jackson were right there pointing the way.

"We had a blast volunteering with the San Francisco Department of Recreation.  We helped out as greeter and helped families in the community learn about the hundred's summer camp offerings throughout San Francisco," said Ed Jackson. "Events like this not only allow us to interact with children and their families in our community, they also give our team a chance to bond and be together outside of class, practice and competitions."

The events sponsors, which included SFKids.org, the SFUSD, the San Francisco Dept. of Children, Youth, & Their Families, SF Parks & Recreation, and the Mayor's Office, were promoting art programs, theater workshops, sports camps, academic programs, and many more activities. Jordan Cotton, a sophomore libero on the volleyball team, helped out with a tennis demonstration, which Jackson called "the highlight of the day."

"I would say that the best part about the experience was being able to work with and help the families in our community," said Cotton. "I'm so fortunate to live in this awesome city and it's really a great feeling to show my appreciation for the community with my teammates."


Hear what the Knights had to say about the event:

"It was a very good experience for the whole team. The most rewarding part of the whole experience was definitely seeing the organizers of the event so thankful, and releasing at least some stress off of them. Planning an event for a suspected 3,000 people, to relieve them a small bit of stress for the organizers of the event that care about their community, and spent so much time planning the event was awesome."
- Redshirt sophomore Kanoe Irvine, Volleyball

"It was a really rewarding experience helping out with SF Parks & Rec. Getting to see all the kids making plans to stay active & learn this summer was a great experience."
- Redshirt freshman Alma Mana'o, Soccer

"It was great to play with the kids and show them how to 'fish.'"
- Freshman Hanna Aronzon, Soccer

"It was a really rewarding experience to get to be a part of the local community in addition to being part of the ART U community."
- Freshman Erika Pitcher, Soccer