Getting disabled kids involved in sports, that's the mission of Game Changers Idaho. The Pay It Forward for May goes to Gabriel Moreno, its founder.MERIDIAN, Idaho (CBS 2) — Long before the players, coaches, and volunteers arrive, Gabriel Moreno walks the field at Cole Valley Christian School in Meridian and places the markers for this evening’s flag football game.
Gabe is an educator. He works in the Bridge program at Hillside Junior High. It’s a challenging and rewarding job.
Still, it is not as rewarding as running Game Changers Idaho.
"This is where I am at my happiest,” explained Gabe. “We're not this franchise organization. Nobody hired me to do Game Changers. This is where I'm at my best self. I love communicating with parents. I love communicating with the volunteers. I love the logistics, planning ahead of time, and then seeing it all unfold.”
Game Changers started out in 2016 as just a flag football program. But now it’s expanded into other sports, both team and individual. The non-profit now also offers soccer, golf, fencing, cross fit, gymnastics, and even a program for 3-to-5-year-olds.
Today’s roster for Game Changers includes more than 300 kids participating in seven sports.
And to keep it all running, Gabe depends on a dedicated group of volunteers who not only coach, but also referee, and provide kids with individual support.
Josh Van Boven is one of the volunteer coaches. “Playing football with these kids is just having a great time. Just the joy on these kids’ faces, it’s pure football.”
The program caters to children with disabilities, but all are welcome. And they all support one another.
“We moved here about 8 years ago,” said Carrie Ackerman who both volunteers and has a son in Game Changers. “He loves this. And I as a parent thrill for him in this environment and I want to help out any way I can."
"Parents want something consistent for their kids,” said Gabe. “So, our programs are about 10 to 12 weeks long. And as you can see it's a normal sports program for them. They're learning. They're growing. They're developing. It's hard. And they're earning every one of their yards and their touchdowns and that's what parents want."
"Gabe is amazing," said another parent, Jessica Lynn. She has two boys in the program. "What I've really appreciated about him is - and that my oldest son really needed was - learning that not every time you step onto a field or participate in a sport, you're going to come away being in first place. Sometimes you're going to win and sometimes you're going to lose."
Because of what the program is doing for kids in the Treasure Valley, Andie Dadsetan with Mountain America Credit Union surprised Gabe with a Pay It Forward. “With your philosophy of ‘Be Kind. Be Different. Be You.’ We couldn't think of a better program to pay it forward.”
Andie gave him $500 cash, money that will go right back into the program to provide kids with experiences that will improve the quality of their lives.
Do you know someone like Gabe, who’s doing great things in our community? Nominate them for a Pay It Forward! Click here for the nomination form.
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