Room to Play. Space to Lead.
On October 7, 2026, Playing for Keeps organized an International Day of the Girl celebration at Palms Elementary School, with LA SCORES as its programming partner. More than 50 LA SCORES Poet-Athletes from four Los Angeles elementary schools took part.
Much of Palms Elementary’s outdoor play area is paved. For the afternoon, we brought a temporary turf field to campus and created space for girls to play, express themselves, and build confidence and leadership.
Our Impact
The temporary field turned part of the paved play area into a welcoming space for movement and connection. Students took part in soccer, creative expression and leadership activities throughout the afternoon.
LA SCORES staff and special guests led hands-on activities drawing on the organization’s combination of soccer, poetry, and service. The girls also connected with athletes, artists, educators, and community leaders—including players from the LA Legends and San Diego Rebellion of the Women’s Tackle Football League.
Community Connection
The students came from Palms, Stoner Avenue, Braddock Drive, and Charnock Road elementary schools. Through its partnership with LA SCORES, Playing for Keeps brought together youth programming and play-space access in an event centered on the girls.
The day made room for students to try new things, express themselves, and take on leadership. It also gave them time with adults and guests who could encourage their interests and recognize their potential.
What This Meant
The field was temporary, but the need for dependable places to play is ongoing. The celebration showed how a quality play surface and meaningful programming can turn a paved school space into a place for activity, expression, and connection.
For Playing for Keeps, access to play is part of creating opportunities for children to build confidence, relationships, and a sense of what they can do. At Palms, girls had room to play, create, and lead—and to see themselves as belonging in every part of the experience.
Girls deserve space to play, create, and lead.
"A safe place to play is not a luxury amenity. It is a promise we make to the next generation."
Built With the Best in the Business
