b'ESPN believes all kids should have the same opportunity to play, and we committed over a$1 millionto help those who have the least access. This includes those living at or below poverty levels, youth exposed to violence in their communities, those with physical or intellectual disabilities, immigrant populations and other factors creating difficulties toaccess sports.While getting them on the field or court is the first step, we want to take it a step further and ensure kids are getting the most out of their sports experiences. Its no secret that sports helps youth develop skills that will enable them to them thrive in life, so we invest in programs that use the power of sports to develop these leadership and empowerment skills.Harlem LacrosseWhile the grants for these programs were already meeting a high need, the resourcesHarlem Lacrosse aims to break the cycle of generational poverty proved even more critical given the devastatingby delivering full-day, school-based, year-round support and youth effects from the pandemic. In most cases, ourdevelopment programming to underserved students. With the support partners were rethinking how they could stillof ESPN, Harlem Lacrosse has provided programming centered reach kids, while keeping safety top of mind.around four core elements: academic performance, social-emotional Some had to completely pivot and provide basicgrowth, deep personal engagement and on-time school advancement. services, including food and personal protectiveThe organization remained nimble and flexible in an ever-changing equipment. Others created innovative virtualenvironment this year, providing outdoor classrooms, designed and run opportunities to keep kids active. by HL program directors in local parks, which combined safe and secure Harlem Lacrosse, New Heights and the Womenssocially-distanced lacrosse and academic programming in outside spaces. Sports Foundation are just a few of our partnersAdditionally, their school-based program directors functioned as resource making a profound difference for youth of color. catalysts, advocates and supporters of their students as they were sheltering at home and made the transition to remote learning. HARLEM LACROSSE STUDENT-ATHLETEShave made meaningful strides, even amidst the pandemic:Percentage of studentsPercentage of Percentage ofwho avoided chronicstudents who either students whoabsenteeism. Studentsmade categorical 96% maintained a83% who were chronically63% improvements in their passing GPA,absent last year attendedGPA (moving from Dswith an averageapproximately sevento Cs, for example)of 81%. additional days of or maintained Aschool this year.or B averages.Follow @ESPNCitizenshipwww.espn.com/citizenship 27'