the swingpals insider #0003

APRIL 2025

April is in full swing and so is our impact! We are excited to share that registration is now open for SwingPals' 2nd Annual TopGolf Fundraiser, our signature peer-to-peer event that invites the entire community to rally behind SwingPals students. As we prepare for an exciting season of fundraising and connection, we continue the day-to-day work with students across Durham, helping them build confidence, resilience, and emotional resilience. Here's what we’ve been up to this month!

WHAT'S NEW AT SWINGPALS

SwingPals All Stars and Heritage Competition

Please join us in congratulating the SwingPals All-star team on their wonderful showing in our home match versus a very strong Heritage PGA Jr League Team.

From 2nd left to right meet our team: A’Leila (Class of 2029), Daniel (Class of 2028), Deysi (Class of 2025), Deon (Class of 2028), Bryan (Class of 2025), Max (Class of 2028), Rasean (Class of 2028), Ja-Den (Class of 2028), and Jatovi (Class of 2029). So proud of our team, proud of all our students. Next up is the return match at Heritage on Sunday, May 18. Team will be announced on May 11.

More After-School, More Time for Students to Grow

With almost a month of dual location afterschool programming running, SwingPals has added over 30 youth sessions/week, increasing our impact and allowing us to better support youth. It also means more time for our Highschool students to be engaged and working toward their outcomes.

The 2nd Annual SwingPals Topgolf Fundraiser

Registration is now open for SwingPals' 2nd Annual TopGolf Fundraiser on August 20! This year, the event includes a peer-to-peer campaign where families, friends, and supporters can help us raise funds in support of programs that directly benefit students like yours. We are excited to invite the community to rally behind the incredible work your children are doing and to celebrate their growth both on and off the course.

Register to play!

In-school Program Update

SwingPals wrapped up 6th grade programming at Shepard and Lowe's Grove last week. Just two more schools remaining before Swingpals wraps up in-school programming for this school year.

SwingPals: Fore the Community Kicks Off 

We kicked off our brand-new SwingPals: Fore the Community initiative this month with a successful service project at Hillandale Golf Course. More than 10 SwingPals students showed up ready to work, to help clean up the course and give back to a space that means so much to them. This is just the beginning! Our students will be taking on new community projects on the first Saturday of every month.

Take a look at what's happening at Topgolf!

In the mindfulness station, students practice communicating effectively, discussing how to stay strong and stable when things feel overwhelming and create a plan to stay recharged when their inner battery feels drained. 

Here are some of the things that cause students to feel stressed or drained:

"Getting yelled at in school"

"Having to do a lot of things at the same time"

"After an argument"

"When classmates are acting wild"

When asked what tools they would use to help recharge themselves, here is what they shared:

"Sigh and walk away"

"Listening to music"

"Being alone"

"Heart focused breathing"

"Talking with a friend"

"Walking with music"

"Talking with my brother from another mother"

Reaching goals requires consistency and accountability. Parents and Caregivers, ask your child how they are keeping their inner battery charged when they feel physically or emotionally drained. Encourage them to recognize their emotions and use simple tools like mindful breathing or taking a break to help navigate challenges with greater confidence and resilience. Creating space for these conversations can make a big difference in how they show up each day!

YOUR SUPPORT FUELS POSTIVE OUTCOMES

From powerful moments of learning to the quiet confidence built through every swing, our students continue to grow thanks to supporters like you. Your donation helps SwingPals provide transformative experiences that equip Durham youth with the tools needed to thrive in school, in life, and in their communities. Let’s keep the momentum going—make a gift today!

Make a Donation!

MEET COACH REGGIE JOHNSON

Reggie volunteers his time coaching SwingPals in schools, after school at Hillandale Golf Course and Topgolf. Not only does Reggie volunteer countless hours, but he also supports our work financially. SwingPals is deeply grateful to Reggie and the many volunteers without whom SwingPals would not be possible. When asked about SwingPals Reggie had this to say:

“After many years donating to this wonderful organization, I decided to make the ultimate step of committing my time as a volunteer. This was a great move and has provided me the opportunity to be a direct contributor to a great program that only continues to get better. I’m looking forward to my continued involvement with SwingPals and what it’s doing for the community in every way possible.”

Interested in volunteering as a coach? Learn more!

LOOKING AHEAD

Student Advisory Committee - SwingPals is forming a Highschool youth leadership team that will help SwingPals make informed decisions about our programs and enrollment. We will reach out to families in the next week to decide who should be a part of this committee.

At SwingPals, we talk a lot about safety and provide a safe space where students are free to unlock their potential. This begins when we first meet 6th grade students in gymnasiums and introduce them to their Play Box and continues throughout their time with SwingPals. For some students this is a 7-year journey!  SwingPals' vision is one day every child will be somewhere on this journey. Thank you for helping make this possible.

Doug Hodges, PGA SwingPals Executive Director and Founder