Belize
In Belize, we partner with the Belize City Softball Association--the organization responsible for softball in Belize's largest city--and other community-based organizations to support efforts to increase access to softball for young people and adults and provide positive recreational opportunities for vulnerable youth.
Background
In 2019, we began a partnership with the Belize City Softball Association to support them in their efforts to engage more youth in the game. In July of 2019, a team of 19 representatives from the league traveled to Belize and facilitated a week of youth softball clinics at historic Rogers Stadium for over 100 young people and--through team fundraising efforts and collaborations with partner organizations such as Pitch In For Baseball + Softball, Lower Merion Little League, and the Neshaminy Wildcats--donated 1,200 pounds of equipment and uniforms to enable the start of softball programs at ten primary schools and the youth detention center in Belize City. In addition, in 2020, we shipped 12 cases of new softballs to the BSCA to support their league play and youth initiatives.
In August of 2021, we returned to Belize to facilitate USA Quickball clinics in coordination with four community sports clubs for 130 young people on the southside of Belize City in the neighborhoods of Mesopotamia, Belama, Queen Square, and Port Loyola and donated over 600 pounds of equipment.
Current + Future Programming
Since incorporating Change Up Sports, our priority for 2024 and beyond is to continue to support the ongoing grassroots and community-based efforts to engage more young people in the game and in positive, safe recreational opportunities by providing equipment and partnering for clinics, training, and youth development programming.
Community Based Clinics + Programs
In August 2023, a team returned to Belize to facilitate a one-day clinic in Queen Square on the Southside of Belize City for 100 young people and provided lunch, school supplies, and toiletries. We also facilitated a clinic at the Liberty Children's Home for 35 orphaned young people and the New Beginnings Youth Development Center for 25 incarcerated young people and provided school supplies and toiletries. In addition, we facilitated two clinics with Ocean Academy--the only high school on the island of Caye Caulker--for a total of 30 young people and provided an equipment set, school supplies, and toiletries.
Coaches Training
In August 2023, we sponsored a free CPR/First Aid course through the Belize Red Cross Society for 22 adult coaches and youth leaders from the Belize City Softball Association and other community-based youth organizations.
Equipment + Supply Donations
In August 2023, we also provided equipment donations including softballs, helmets, bats, and more to the Belize City Softball Association, the Lady Impact women's fastpitch team, the Truckers Posse slowpitch team, and more to supplement and replenish our prior donations and continue to expand access to the game. In total in 2023, we distributed over $7,000 in equipment and supply donations through our community partnerships in Belize.
