This summer has been a busy one for BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas as they aimed to introduce lacrosse to low-to-moderate income youth boys and girls in South and West Dallas and Oak Cliff.
In the later month of May, BRIDGE was approached by four different organizations, primarily in the West Dallas and Oak Cliff area, expressing an interest in bringing lacrosse to their communities. BRIDGE was excited about the opportunity to branch out into the nontraditional communities and created summer partnerships with Girls, Inc., Lakewest Family YMCA, Nash-Davis Recreation Center and Promise House, hosting seven lacrosse clinics throughout June and July.
All of the lacrosse clinics were instructed by girl and boy high school lacrosse players from various teams around the DFW metroplex including; Parish Episcopal, Jesuit, Hillcrest, ESD, St. Mark’s, Hockaday, Greenhill, Irma Rangel, Plano Premier, Keller, McKinney, Coppell and Lake Highlands. Volunteers were able to receive school community service hours for their time with BLD.
William Long, a current player on the Parish Episcopal men’s lacrosse team, explains why he enjoyed volunteering his time with BRIDGE:
“The experience is truly special because you get to work with kids from all levels of the sport doing what we love, teaching underserved kids teamwork, camaraderie, and the game of lacrosse.”
As in previous years, BLD also teamed up with their South Dallas summer partners, Circle of Support and Heart of a Warrior, both hosts of summer programs for youth that is highly focused in academics and various enrichment opportunities, one being the introduction of lacrosse. With the help of 38 lacrosse volunteers, BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas was able to serve over 380 youth boys and girls and provide an opportunity to learn a new sport typically not found within their communities.