The Washington Spirit prioritizes performing at a high level on the field and working just as hard in the community. Residents of Wards 6, 7, and 8 and the area surrounding Audi Field are the lifelines of the Spirit, and DC Ward Day Presented by CareFirst is meant to celebrate that.
Honoring the rich culture, people, and businesses of the community that the Spirit exists in, DC Ward Day not only helps those closest in proximity to the Spirit feel a sense of identity with the team but also ingratiates those traveling from outside the area with the community surrounding Spirit games at Audi Field.
DC Ward Day will highlight community organizations, including the Anacostia Community Museum. CareFirst, the presenting partner of DC Ward Day who committed to a multi-year community partnership with the Spirit, will also activate throughout the match.
The Spirit has an extended range of relationships with multiple local community organizations including DC SCORES, Leveling the Playing Field, Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL), MSYSA Let’s Play!, YWCA and more. Most recently, the Spirit partnered with Friends of Anacostia Park for a clean-up night with staff and players.
Though, the Spirit’s most foundational community partnership is with DC SCORES, a non-profit organization that works to empower more than 3,000 kids in the community to stay active through soccer, be hard-working students, and push them out of their comfort zones by writing and performing poetry on stage.
Executive Director of DC SCORES, Katrina Owens says the key to a positive community partnership is an authentic relationship between the organizations, one that goes beyond photo-ops and bright lights and focuses on the people who matter most for our future – the youth.
Since beginning its partnership, the Spirit and DC SCORES have worked together on countless community-building projects. Within the last year, the Spirit and DC SCORES built mini-pitches at Hendley Elementary School with The Black Women’s Player Collective and united with CareFirst to help fund and create better health and equity for the girls of Excel Academy in Ward 8. Together, the Spirit and DC SCORES have created space to help youth, highlight their talents, and create a sense of togetherness throughout DC.
DC Scores is not only a close partner to the Spirit. The relationship is valued across the organization from the executive level, staff, and even down to the players. The shining example of this is Spirit forward Ashley Hatch and her work with DC SCORES.
Hatch’s involvement with the Spirit’s foremost community partner started at the beginning of the partnership. Outside of working with DC SCORES on numerous events, she even raised $15,000 to cover bus costs for young DC SCORES poet-athletes through clinics and social media fundraising.
“It was amazing to have her involved really from the beginning. I think she’s always been looking for ways to connect and have authentic relationships with the kids in our program,” Owens said.
Hatch’s work with DC SCORES has been so consistent that she was even elected to the DC SCORES Executive Board, a position she still holds.
It is clear that Hatch embraces the Spirit’s mindset of giving back to the community, and her relationship with DC SCORES gives her an even bigger network to find outlets for community passion.
When she’s not practicing, traveling, or attending board meetings, Hatch also runs her own community initiatives. One of those programs is Boots From Pros which started in 2019 and donates lightly used boots with a specialized note from professional athletes to young athletes in need.
Although Hatch was raised in Arizona and has roots in Utah, she says her work has led her to a newfound home here in the DMV.
“Living in the DMV area, I’m super far away from family. Every year that I’ve been here I’ve grown closer and closer to the community,” Hatch said. “If I ever leave DC, I know I will leave a big chunk of my heart here.”
While DC Ward Day is meant to highlight those – small businesses, community organizations, local leaders, and students – who make the community special, it doesn’t stop here. Throughout the season, the Spirit will work to ensure that fans share the same sense of identity and community as Hatch for the place the Spirit calls home.
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