Both of their children are among 80 Alaska youth statewide who successfully applied for physical activity grants since the Game Changer program started in October 2021, said Kayla Williamson, who oversees the program through Alaska’s nonprofit Healthy Futures program. Healthy Futures started Game Changer as a way to continue and expand a previous Alaska program known as The Basics.

Many Alaska children know about Healthy Futures because it’s been providing a free school-based physical activity challenge for the past 20 years. Healthy Futures’s new Game Change grants cover costs for everything from sports fees, shoes and clothing, skills training, transportation to physical activities, and more. That’s the whole point of Game Changer: Remove the costly hurdle that’s making it hard for a child to stay active, and then get that child back in the game.

“Healthy Futures Game Changer has opened the door for many Alaska kids to pursue a sport they love or an activity they’ve always wanted to try,” Williamson said. “In addition to the immense health benefits that are crucial to youth development, they learn critical skills and values that are lifelong.”

Gideon’s Game Changer grant improves his football skills

Game Changer grants have supported active youth from communities across Alaska, Williamson said. Over the past few years, Game Changer supported students on the Mountain Village Strivers boys basketball team, the Tuluksak Wolverines co-ed wrestling team, the Talkeetna Youth Hockey Association, and Nordic ski clubs in Glennallen and Juneau. Grants supported kids like Gideon Makihele who loves football. Gideon has his eye on big goals in high school and beyond.

Participating in sports and other physical activities can be expensive, but they also can open up opportunities for Alaska children. Participating can improve chances of students upping their game to qualify for athletic scholarships, making college more affordable.

That’s on Gideon’s mind. Gideon has watched his two older brothers become skilled football players who earned athletic scholarships to play football in college.

Right now, this incoming high school freshman wants to be a stronger player at Anchorage West High School next fall.

“Football is a sport I really, really love,” Gideon said. “I’m just glad I get to play it. I love playing it.”

Gideon’s mom, Vanessa, said her family looks for extra resources to help cover costs that add up for their five active children. She said the Game Changer grant was a “huge blessing” to help Gideon accomplish his football goals. He’s using his grant to work with a trainer to improve speed, mobility and agility. He hopes that training will help him excel on West High’s football team. Later, Gideon said he’s hoping to earn an athletic scholarship like his older brothers did. That would help Gideon keep playing competitive football and lower costs to attend college.

Aliyah’s Game Changer grant keeps her active in multiple sports

Shirley Adams’s daughter, Aliyah, is committed to staying active. They drive 15 miles from her Sterling home to Skyview Middle School to practice with the volleyball and basketball teams. She was the junior champion in the Native Youth Olympics Alaskan high kick event. Adams and Aliyah also make time to be active together. They’ve been doing judo for about four years.

Every year, Adams watches Aliyah grow out of her jerseys, gear, and shoes needed for each activity. The gas adds up for the drive to and from practice. Aliyah recently lost her dad, so Adams is now supporting Aliyah alone. She knew she needed financial help to keep Aliyah active.

Aliyah said she loves sports because she gets to spend time with friends. She also loves the competition and achievement. Adams said the Game Changer grant was critical to keep Aliyah active, socializing with friends, and going after her goals. Aliyah’s grant helped pay for school fees to participate in basketball and volleyball, as well as the cost of jerseys and shoes.

Find and apply for Game Changers grants online

Game Changer grant applications come to the Healthy Futures program, a longtime partner of the State of Alaska Play Every Day campaign. Healthy Futures staff consider and approve these applications for children ages 5-18 throughout the year.

Any adult can apply. That includes a parent, coach, teacher, principal or nurse. The grant, however, must go toward helping a child or group of children. Each grant request must be $500 or less, Williamson said.

Game Changer applications include a brief summary of the need, how the grant will be used, and the academic accomplishments of the children involved. Needs can vary. That means one application may ask for covering the cost of a bus trip to a cross country skiing meet. Another could ask to cover a skill-building activity like Gideon’s grant did, or to buy gear and shoes like Aliyah’s grant.

Go to the Game Changer webpage to fill out an application online.

Go to the Play Every Day blog web page to read more about helping Alaska children grow up at a healthy weight.