You’ve seen the film, now what can you do?
Help the main characters of IN THE GAME reach their goals!
Attending college and staying in college, has been extremely difficult for Alicia, Maria and Elizabeth. The obstacles have been daunting, and yet the girls have not given up on their dream to go back to college. So many people who have seen IN THE GAME were moved to tears and asked the filmmakers how they could help these young women directly. A GoFundMe campaign has been created specifically to provide financial support to Alicia, Maria and Elizabeth so that they can return to college with a goal of successful graduation. If you would like to help them go back to college, please contribute to their GoFundMe campaign here. THANK YOU!
If you are a student or a parent of a student who would like to attend college:
- FIND A MENTOR. “The Scoop: What’s a mentor and how do I get one?“
Students who meet regularly with mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters). inthegamedoc.com/partner-organizations; chicagoscholars.org; mentoring.org
- MEET WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR and review the steps to apply for college. Be sure you have all the necessary course work completed, take the required standardized tests, and get involved in activities, clubs and organizations at your school. bigfuture.collegeboard.org
- RESEARCH WAYS TO HELP PAY FOR COLLEGE. Paying for college is not easy, but funds are available, even for undocumented students. Ask your high school counselor and mentor for advice. For financial aid – fafsa.ed.gov For scholarships – General: tuitionfundingsources.com Hispanic students: hsf.net Undocumented students: illinoisdreamfund.org
- RESEARCH COLLEGES THAT WANT TO HELP YOU. Find colleges that are there to support first generation college students or serve the Hispanic community. Find colleges that support first generation students: imfirst.org/colleges Find a ‘Hispanic serving institution’: colleges that are committed to providing high quality post-secondary educational opportunities accessible to Hispanic students hacu.net/assnfe/CompanyDirectory.aspSTYLE=2&COMPANY_TYPE=1,5&SEARCH_TYPE=0
If you are a community member and want to make a difference:
- GIVE to a neighborhood school. Consider volunteering your time or donating resources
- GET INVOLVED in your local school. In Chicago, join a School Council: cps.edu/Pages/Localschoolcouncils.aspx
- BECOME A MENTOR or FIND A MENTOR for a student.
Students who meet regularly with mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters). inthegamedoc.com/partner-organizations; chicagoscholars.org/about; mentoring.org
- CONTACT policy makers in your city.
Urge your state and city representatives to support positive change and additional resources in schools: in Chicago: cityofchicago.org/city/en/about/wards.html
in Illinois: house.gov/representatives/find
- ENCOURAGE your network. Ask your alma mater to recruit more first-generation and low-income students. Establish an emergency grant at your local college.
- SHARE THE FILM with your school or community. Film has the power to challenge stereotypes, generate change and impact policy. Request a screening at inthegamedoc.com/request-a-screening
If you are a coach or on a sports team and want to make a difference:
- Offer free sports clinics to an organization that mentors young people in underserved communities. Offer your skills!
- If you belong to a sports club, encourage your club leadership to provide annual scholarships to talented athletes who cannot afford the expensive fees.
- Sponsor a youth sports team in an under-served community. Be a mentor and help them raise the funds for uniforms, fees, and travel.
- Be part of a young person’s “team.” Share and volunteer your time and skills one-on-one by being a mentor. ussoccerfoundation.org/our-programs/soccer-for-success; girlsinthegame.org/; bawsi.org
- Host a screening for your team, club and/or community. Include a panel discussion to talk about ways you can be part of the solution! Request a screening at inthegamedoc.com/request-a-screening
HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE ACTION, PLEASE TELL US ABOUT IT SO WE CAN SHARE YOUR STORY!
email us at inthegamedoc@kartemquin.com
