Video: Want to fight polarization? Take a vacation!

When I first became an Engaged Athlete Fellow through TheTeam, I thought civic engagement was simply about interacting with one’s community and giving back. Over the course of a year-long project built through planning, leadership, and community connection, however, I learned that true engagement is about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow together. Civic engagement goes beyond your actions and emphasizes the impact you can create.

From the beginning, I understood that completing a successful civic engagement project was the desired outcome of my time as a fellow. Between the first day I began drafting my plans and now, reflecting on all that I’ve been able to accomplish, I realized I gained so much more. The Team helped me recognize the opportunity not only to uplift my community but also to create real, intentional change. Even further, with the support of this organization, the path was paved to establish lasting change — the kind that seeps into the hearts of others and inspires them to do the same for years to come.