Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Angie Benson began working with Harlem Lacrosse a few shorts months ago to gain community service hours for a non-profit organization as part of her path to eligibility for NCAA competition in 2020. What she didn't know was the impact that it would have on her, a source of joy that keeps her invested in the kids that the organization serves.
Benson mentors 10 kids from the Philadelphia area via FaceTime calls, where she would tell her story, or answer any questions about life and lacrosse as well as provide guidance.
"Growing up there weren't many people who look like me playing the game," Benson said of the lacrosse community. "Harlem uses the power of sports to help kids and for me to be able to share my experience and show the kids that it is possible to play the game and be successful and ultimately make a difference is rewarding."
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Benson and her mentees were preparing for a trip to Blacksburg for a camp that has since been cancelled. The group still meets regularly however with Benson leading the Zoom calls from Blacksburg and still reaching her mentees in Philly.
Christine Page started working with Harlem four years ago and helped launch the Philadelphia branch in 2017, which offers two girls' programs and one boys' program. It is a year-round support service that recruits kids in the fall and supports them during the school day and provide after school programming that includes; study hall, team building, lacrosse practice and enrichment trips to partner towns. Typically, there are fall, winter and spring season offered as well as summer camps.
The main emphasis of the program is academic programs first then lacrosse, Page noted.
Page has supervised Benson from the beginning and appreciates her work ethic as well as her servant mentality.
'She's been helping with all of our calls throughout the week when she can, she is on Workout Wednesday, Featured Speaker Friday and our Team Tuesday meetings,' Paige said. 'Angie gave them a workout routine and gave them little activities to do like daily affirmations in the mirror to help boost confidence.'
Benson has had the opportunity to speak on a panel with players in the black sports community that included; Joey Coffey, Tariro Kandemiri and Nicole Davis, where she spoke to all of the Harlem Lacrosse participants nationally on her experience and using her opportunities and sometimes being the only black or minority lacrosse player on her team.
Page said that the entire summer program will be virtual and that Benson does plan on continuing her work with her mentees.