Changing Lives with L.A.C.E.S.

As I look back over my few years of life, the majority of it is fragmented into the different sport activities I was involved in. From ages 2 - 10, most of my memories surround around swimming at the lake, swimming lessons at the local high school, having Grandma make that new season's bathing suit, etc.

The first time I ever tried out for a sport was when I was 16. I was in high school and I was encouraged to try out for the basketball team. There weren't really enough interested students in the school for it to be a true try-out, but I do remember being nervous nonetheless. I had never played basketball before outside of PIG or HORSE in the driveway and doing it in a team with your peers made it that much more nerve racking.

After high school, I continued to play intramural and pick-up basketball. It is a sport that taught me a lot about my own abilities, confidence, team work and unity among a diverse group of people. Basketball was what connected me to my colleagues and neighbors in Madagascar who I couldn't communicate with due to language barriers.

Now my husband and I try to play tennis and indoor soccer in an effort to be a "fit couple," as he likes to label it. I never thought that sports would follow me in my career. I always saw it as a personal hobby or social outlet to my life. With my new job, I have the opportunity to help create the same experience through sports that I had but for children in Liberia.

L.A.C.E.S. (Life and Change Experienced thru Sports) is a grassroots non-profit started in Liberia post civil war. L.A.C.E.S. uses sport to teach vulnerable youth morals and values with the intention of impacting change within communities. L.A.C.E.S. is a Christian organization that uses the Bible as a tool in demonstrating leadership, respect and honor.

I have been brought as the Director of Operations to help L.A.C.E.S. implement a new five year strategy and seek funding through grants. If you would like to know more about L.A.C.E.S., please check out our website at www.laces.org. And stay tuned for a new website rolling soon.

Below is a short video that gives you an idea of what L.A.C.E.S. is about!

http://vimeo.com/30864655

If you would like more information about L.A.C.E.S. and the work we are doing in Liberia, let me know!