Upower’s Field Trip to Seahawks Training Camp

August 30, 2024

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Seattle Seahawks for hosting our Seattle Housing Authority program participants at their training camp. This incredible opportunity was made possible through Upower’s partnership with the Seahawks, allowing kids from the Seattle Housing Authority’s Highpoint community in West Seattle to experience the excitement of watching their favorite team in action, many for the very first time.

For these young fans, who had previously only seen the Seahawks on TV, the chance to witness their heroes up close was an unforgettable experience. The energy was electric, and the kids were absolutely thrilled to be there.

You may have caught a glimpse of one of our participants, Sab, on the Seahawks’ social media. Sab is a spirited and determined young girl who, alongside the boys, spent four straight hours cheering for her favorite player, DK Metcalf, from the sidelines. Her enthusiasm paid off when she was gifted a signed shoe by Metcalf himself.

What the photos don’t capture is the inspiring conversation between Metcalf and Sab. When Metcalf asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she confidently replied, “I want to be a nurse.” Metcalf, ever the motivator, responded, “But not just any nurse, right? You want to be the best nurse. See, I didn’t just want to be ANY football player—I wanted to be the BEST football player.” With those words of encouragement, he handed her his signed shoe and told her, “Work hard, and it will pay off.”

This moment will undoubtedly be a lifelong memory for Sab, and Upower is deeply grateful to have played a role in making it happen.

Upower’s Open House

Upower is hosting our FIRST-EVER open house on October 3rd, 2024, from 3pm-7pm. Join us as we walk the school-to-prison pipeline through Upower programs hosted by Upower coaches as they share stories from Upower sites and update you all on the impact we’ve made in the last 10 years!

Final Days of Upower Back to School Shoe Drive

Do you have any gently used sneakers taking up space in your closet? We can find them a new home and a pair a feet in need. Please reach out to Manny at manny@u-power.org, to arrange pick-up or drop-off of sneakers.