Coach Devon recounts a visit to a SBCUSD Elementary School
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Dec. 20, 2024 — In a sunlit schoolyard at Norton Elementary in San Bernardino, I watched as one of our students, Kaylee, 12, carefully lined up her shot during an afterschool golf class. She took her swing, sending the ball soaring into a net with ease. “I hope I get better today,” she said with determination.
Across the yard, Emily, 10, grinned as she recounted how golf has become her favorite part of the day.
“Every day I’m like, ‘I need to go to golf!’” she said. “My mom wants to pick me up early, but I tell her, ‘No, it’s golf today. You can’t pick me up early.’”
Kaylee and Emily are just two out of the thousands of students First Tee – Inland Empire serves in the San Bernardino City Unified School District through our in-school programming and Expanded Learning afterschool programming.
As an afterschool coach since 2022, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact we have on these kids. In the Inland Empire, where physical activity rates are among the lowest in Southern California, cost, transportation, and access often hinder participation in youth sports. In fact, according to the LA84 Foundation’s Play Equity Report:
Only 28% of Inland Empire kids meet the CDC’s guidelines for physical activity, with Black and Latino youth being the least active.
First Tee – Inland Empire combats these barriers by meeting students where they are: at school. Our program runs three schools a day, five days a week throughout the entire school year, ensuring kids like Kaylee and Emily have access to opportunities that foster both athletic and personal growth.
Kaylee’s love for the game was inspired by her grandparents:
“Golf is my favorite thing to do. My grandma and grandpa used to golf, and I wanted to play just like them.”
For Emily, golf was a new adventure: “I didn’t play before First Tee, but I wanted to try something new. Golf is a fun little hobby on top of softball.”
Both girls have gained confidence, friendships, and skills through First Tee. Kaylee proudly shared how she’s improved: “I signed up two years ago and got better each time.” I celebrated alongside her as she nailed five out of eight shots in the net, a reminder that small victories create lasting memories.
Emily, reflecting on the challenges of golf, said, “It’s kind of like obstacles after obstacles, which is kind of fun.” Her words hit home—golf, like life, teaches us to navigate new challenges with a steady swing.
By meeting kids where they’re at, in their schools and communities, First Tee – Inland Empire ensures that all children, no matter their circumstance, have access to the opportunities they deserve.
As the year comes to a close, we ask for your support in helping us continue to Build Game Changers like Kaylee and Emily. Your gift will provide more opportunities for children in need, equipping them not just with golf skills, but with the confidence, perseverance, and life skills to succeed.