Playing for Keeps and LA SCORES came together for an International Day of the Girl celebration that put opportunity, creativity, and confidence at the center of the field.
October 7, 2026 | Palms Elementary School, Los Angeles, CA
What happens when girls are given the space to play, the freedom to express themselves, and the encouragement to lead?
At Palms Elementary School in Los Angeles, the answer came to life through an afternoon filled with soccer, poetry, friendship, and possibility.
In celebration of International Day of the Girl, the Playing for Keeps Foundation partnered with LA SCORES to bring together more than 50 young “Poet-Athletes” from four Los Angeles elementary schools for a special event celebrating the power of play and the importance of giving every girl an opportunity to thrive.
Creating Space for Girls to Shine
For many children in urban communities, access to safe, high-quality recreational spaces is limited. At Palms Elementary School, where much of the outdoor play area is paved, Playing for Keeps installed a temporary artificial turf field, transforming an everyday school space into a welcoming environment for movement, connection, and discovery.
Students from Palms Elementary, Stoner Avenue Elementary, Braddock Drive Elementary, and Charnock Road Elementary participated in activities designed to encourage teamwork, creative expression, confidence, and leadership.
Through soccer, poetry, and shared experiences, the girls were encouraged to explore their individual strengths, support one another, and discover the power of their own voices.
As Dr. Mimi Nartey, President of the Playing for Keeps Foundation, expressed:
“When we create spaces like this for girls, we are not simply giving them somewhere to play, we are creating conditions in which they can practice becoming powerful.”
Her words reflect a belief at the heart of Playing for Keeps: access to play is about much more than recreation. It’s about creating opportunities for children to discover what they’re capable of becoming.
A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
The celebration was made possible through a meaningful collaboration with LA SCORES. This Los Angeles youth development organization has spent 25 years using soccer, poetry, and community service to empower young people.
LA SCORES’ unique approach recognizes that children grow stronger when physical activity is paired with opportunities for creative expression and personal development.
Throughout the afternoon, LA SCORES staff, professional athletes, artists, and community leaders connected with students through hands-on activities, conversations, and moments of encouragement.
Special guests included actor, writer, and producer Yetide Badaki; former Canadian track and field athlete and Nike executive Mame Twumasi; LA SCORES Co-Executive Director Ericka Wilson; Patrice McKenzie of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board District 1; and players from the LA Legends and San Diego Rebellion women’s tackle football teams.
Together, they helped create an atmosphere in which the girls were not simply participants but the focus of the celebration.
Building a Future Where Every Child Has a Place to Play
For Playing for Keeps, the event represents something larger than a single afternoon.
Across communities, too many children grow up without dependable access to quality places to play. Addressing this challenge requires more than building fields. It takes partnerships that bring spaces to life through meaningful programs, consistent opportunities, and community involvement.
By working alongside organizations like LA SCORES, Playing for Keeps is helping connect access to quality play spaces with experiences that encourage young people to develop confidence, build relationships, and find a sense of belonging.
The International Day of the Girl celebration offered a meaningful example of what’s possible when schools, nonprofits, athletes, artists, and community partners come together around a shared purpose.
Because every child deserves more than a place to play, they deserve the opportunity to grow, to lead, to be heard, and to belong.
In the News: Playing for Keeps Featured in CityBiz
We’re grateful to see this special celebration and our growing partnership with LA SCORES recognized in CityBiz.
Read the full CityBiz feature: Playing for Keeps Puts Los Angeles Girls on the Field and in the Spotlight for International Day of the Girl.
Interested in helping create more opportunities for children to play, grow, and thrive? Connect with Playing for Keeps to learn how you can support our mission.
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