Seahawks 2022 Game Changers Program, Presented By Symetra, Helps Empower Local Youth

Working with Rise and Boys & Girls Club of King County, the Seahawks & Symetra partnered to empower local youth throughout the 2022 season.

Feb 20, 2023 at 08:49 AM

Maliik Obee

Seahawks.com Contributor

In continued efforts to help youth initiatives, the S eahawks 2022 fall cohort with Symetra, the Boys and Girls Club of Kings Country and RISE focused this season on engaging youth and teens through interactive leadership discussions opportunities.

A youth and teen initiative that’s dedicated to leadership growth, mentorship, and developing a champion mindset.

The Seahawks Game Changers program presented by @Symetra continues.

Learn more ⤵️
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 29, 2022

Working together with RISE, a non-profit dedicated to empowering the sports community in efforts to improve race relations - the Seahawks and Symetra were able to help youth broaden their understanding of a wide range of topics such as:

Understanding our Identities
Diversity Concepts
Equality vs Equity
Privilege
Native American Legacy In Sports
Sport as a Vehicle for Change
Community Building: Goal Setting
Be a Champion of Change

A youth and teen initiative that’s dedicated to leadership growth, mentorship, and developing a champion mindset.

The Seahawks Game Changers program presented by @Symetra continues.

Learn more ⤵️
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 29, 2022

At the Game Changers kickoff event at Wallingford Boys & Girls Club this September, students played dodgeball with Seahawks Legends before hearing from Sharmila Swenson, VP of Public Affairs and Social Impact at Symetra, on the goals and plan of the program.

From September through the Seahawks bye week in November, youth met with Boys and Girls Club staff along with members of the Seahawks staff and legends at Lumen Field to discuss the intersection of race and socioeconomic backgrounds. For 90 minutes weekly, students munched on provided meals and snacks while discussing hard-hitting topics that they may not have felt comfortable or had the opportunity to speak on before.

In Week 1, students focused on understanding their unique identities and backgrounds; the next week Symetra's team helped youth breakdown different concepts of diversity. With a vast array of ethnic backgrounds comprising the King County's youth in the program, participants were encouraged to learn their own history as well as others. In Week 5, the group learned of Native American History in Sports - i ncluding the history behind the team’s logo.

In efforts to build character and inspire the next great leaders on-and-off the field or court, the groups worked with the youth on ways to use their voices and platforms to create change through sports, and to build up their communities.

During Seattle's Week 11 bye, the group of kids from eight King County Boys and Girls Clubs toured Lumen Field with Seahawks Legend Ben Obomanu, where they discussed "Becoming a Champion of Change". At the conclusion of the night's events, each participant received a certificate commemorating them for their efforts to be Community Changers.

Though the program came to an end in November, the lessons instilled will last a lifetime.

PHOTOS: Seahawks And Symetra Conclude 2022 Game Changers Program At Lumen Field

The Seattle Seahawks hosted the eighth and final week of the 2022 Game Changers program presented by Symetra on November 15, 2022 at Lumen Field. Eight different Boys & Girls Clubs across King County toured the stadium, discussed "Becoming a Champion of Change," and received a certificate for being true community Game Changers.