The Ripple Effect of Put Me In! How a Simple Game is Transforming Families
Put Me In! dismantles economic barriers for participation in sports by children of incarcerated parents. In this post, we share how sports are shaping the lives for the families.
When we started Put Me In!, our focus was simple: we wanted to impact kids. We wanted to make sure that children of incarcerated parents had the chance to play sports, just like their peers. But as the program has grown, we've seen something truly remarkable—the effects of our work are rippling outward, changing the lives of entire families in ways we never imagined.
We talk a lot about the power of compound impact. Youth sports may seem small—just a few practices, some games on the weekends—but the changes we've witnessed show that investing in a child has far-reaching, life-changing consequences. We've seen firsthand how something as simple as a basketball practice or a softball game can have transformative effects that extend far beyond the field. It's no longer just about the kids. It’s about the mothers, the fathers, and the bonds that sports are helping to rebuild.
For the caregivers who are raising their children on the outside, the support Put Me In! provides has become a source of empowerment. Imagine constantly telling your kids, "No, we can't afford that," whenever they want to try something new, whenever they want to be like everyone else. For many moms in our program, that’s been the reality for years. But with our support, these mothers are starting to see a shift. They no longer have to say no when their children want to join a team or pick up a new sport. Instead, they get to say yes. They get to watch their kids grow, thrive, and be part of something special. Our program isn’t just about sports. It's about agency. It’s about mothers feeling empowered to support their children’s dreams, to help them belong, to let them be kids.
And then there are the incarcerated parents. When we started, our goal was to give kids positive experiences and opportunities, but the unexpected impact on incarcerated fathers has been just as powerful. We've heard from some mothers that, before Put Me In!, their children sometimes didn't want to visit their fathers anymore. There was nothing to talk about. The distance felt insurmountable. But now, something as seemingly simple as a basketball schedule is bridging that gap. Fathers are getting involved—they're asking about practice, they're interested in how their kids are doing in games, they’re asking, "Did you finish your homework before practice?" or "How's your free throw percentage?" Sports have given these dads something to connect with their kids over, something to be proud of, and something that brings joy back into their conversations. The excitement is back, and the relationships are growing stronger. The kids are looking forward to those visits again.
It’s amazing to see how youth sports—something so often taken for granted—is making an impact on all three elements of a family. It's not just the child who benefits. It's the mother who finds strength and agency. It's the father who finds renewed connection. And it's the family as a whole, finding moments of joy and hope where there were once barriers.
This is the power of investing in youth sports. The ripple effect is real, and it's profound. A simple game can transform lives, strengthen families, and create bonds that last. We're seeing it happen every day at Put Me In!, and it's a testament to the idea that small actions can lead to powerful, lasting change.
If you’re interested in learning more about how investing in youth sports can create lasting, compounding impacts, check out our recent post on compound impact here. Let's keep working together to create these ripples—for the kids, for the families, and for a better future.