Last week, Sacramento Republic FC forward Cameron Iwasa gave back to the community, visiting 916 Ink’s summer writing camp, “Amplify!” to discuss ways students can creatively express themselves–from the pitch to a notebook.
“I think it’s great that the club is reaching out to local charities through Glory Glory Sacramento, said Iwasa. “Helping out in the community and wearing the crest with pride, it’s be a great way for the club to set a positive example in the community.”
A local nonprofit, 916 Ink promotes literacy through creative writing workshops for under-served youth ages 4-18. The workshops feature fun, age-specific writing techniques and drills that encourage participants to express themselves creatively through writing.
Last week, Sacramento Republic FC forward Cameron Iwasa gave back to the community, visiting 916 Ink’s summer writing camp, “Amplify!” to discuss ways students can creatively express themselves–from the pitch to a notebook.
“I think it’s great that the club is reaching out to local charities through Glory Glory Sacramento, said Iwasa. “Helping out in the community and wearing the crest with pride, it’s be a great way for the club to set a positive example in the community.”
A local nonprofit, 916 Ink promotes literacy through creative writing workshops for under-served youth ages 4-18. The workshops feature fun, age-specific writing techniques and drills that encourage participants to express themselves creatively through writing.
Earlier this season, 916 Ink was awarded a $12,000 grant on June 4 from the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund to fund two creative writing “Amplify!” workshops serving 60 high-needs students. Each of the two 13-week writing workshops concludes with each student publishing their work in a professional anthology with the cover designed by a graphic designer, and book release party, where each students can sign copies of the anthology and take two of their own home.
Iwasa visited 916 Ink participants at the program’s Imaginarium during an “Amplify!” summer writing camp. The Republic FC forward was given a tour of the campus and also background on how the 916 Ink program started.
To start the visit, Iwasa spoke to the workshop participants about their theme of the week: victory.
“I talked about being victorious throughout life, such as working hard in school, and in my own experience working hard to go and play soccer at UC Irvine and to get where I am now,” said Iwasa “I answered questions from the kids too, from silly things, like what kind of haircut I have, to more serious things, like what my biggest setbacks have been.”
Iwasa also had the opportunity to interact with the camp participants on the soccer field and show them some moves and seeing some of the kids’ own soccer skills. The Republic FC forward also added to the campers’ collage of inspirational words, cutting out phrases and words from magazines used by the campers.
“I think what was really powerful for campers was Cameron coming out,” said 916 Ink Program Director Brett Stults. “It resonated with the campers that Cameron took time out of his schedule to meet with them, talk with them, and play with them. They felt valued and appreciated by someone in their community, which can make all the difference.”.
Iwasa’s visit was just the start of a deeper relationship Republic FC and 916 Ink both hope to foster and grow over time.
“The relationship between Republic FC and 916 Ink is so important, and powerful, because it reminds us what a community is all about: we band together to lift each other up,” said Stults.
To learn more about the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund or to make a donation to 916 Ink or another Glory Glory Sacramento grant recipient, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
Earlier this season, 916 Ink was awarded a $12,000 grant on June 4 from the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund to fund two creative writing “Amplify!” workshops serving 60 high-needs students. Each of the two 13-week writing workshops concludes with each student publishing their work in a professional anthology with the cover designed by a graphic designer, and book release party, where each students can sign copies of the anthology and take two of their own home.
Iwasa visited 916 Ink participants at the program’s Imaginarium during an “Amplify!” summer writing camp. The Republic FC forward was given a tour of the campus and also background on how the 916 Ink program started.
To start the visit, Iwasa spoke to the workshop participants about their theme of the week: victory.
“I talked about being victorious throughout life, such as working hard in school, and in my own experience working hard to go and play soccer at UC Irvine and to get where I am now,” said Iwasa “I answered questions from the kids too, from silly things, like what kind of haircut I have, to more serious things, like what my biggest setbacks have been.”
Iwasa also had the opportunity to interact with the camp participants on the soccer field and show them some moves and seeing some of the kids’ own soccer skills. The Republic FC forward also added to the campers’ collage of inspirational words, cutting out phrases and words from magazines used by the campers.
“I think what was really powerful for campers was Cameron coming out,” said 916 Ink Program Director Brett Stults. “It resonated with the campers that Cameron took time out of his schedule to meet with them, talk with them, and play with them. They felt valued and appreciated by someone in their community, which can make all the difference.”.
Iwasa’s visit was just the start of a deeper relationship Republic FC and 916 Ink both hope to foster and grow over time.
“The relationship between Republic FC and 916 Ink is so important, and powerful, because it reminds us what a community is all about: we band together to lift each other up,” said Stults.
To learn more about the Glory Glory Sacramento Fund or to make a donation to 916 Ink or another Glory Glory Sacramento grant recipient, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com.
