2023.03 -- US Storybook 2022 updated 4.14 - Flipbook - Page 68
Diana recalls her first time volunteering at the PeacePlayers gym rec sessions that
inspired her to take learnings back to her leadership role at the Nike Community
Store. She witnessed “PeacePlayers address kids of all ages in the way that they do”
and shares, “A lot of it is mannerism, but a lot of it is also a bigger picture, right? Like
there’s so much more than just bouncing a ball. And that can happen in all kinds of
depths, right? With a five year old who just learned teamwork. Or it could be you’re
25 on a new team at work and really asking like, ‘What does teamwork mean to you?
[PeacePlayers demonstrated] listening to what they have to say. It’s really having that
ambience of being like, ‘Hey, really say what it means and we’re listening to you.’ Now
whenever I onboard somebody new to work, I’ll ask them ‘What do you want to be
known for?’ And really listen.”
Arnold Coston, Giselle Flores (NCA’s) as well as Diana Romo who oversees the
volunteer program at Watts with the support of the community store’s Head Coach
Paola De La Cruz make up the family. Each of these ambassadors have a history of
playing sports, understand the impact it can have on individuals and communities,
and have found great joy in getting to know and coach the youth of PeacePlayers.
For Giselle, volunteering with PeacePlayers as an NCA means connecting with her
neighborhood, with her community. “Being able to work with kids that I see when I
go to, like, the grocery store or going to a different school. The kids will recognize me
from the Jordan Downs Rec Center. It’s amazing because we have these connections
that we’re forming within our own community, you know. Like yesterday we went
to Jordan High School, and we have only had one session prior to that with them. We
had all the girls running up to us, having them greet us by name, you know, and they
were all asking us to stay longer, so it was just amazing. Seeing these girls develop.”
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PEACEPLAYERS UNITED STATES STORYBOOK