Young Quakers Community Athletics (YQ) pairs “Big Quakers” (Penn student athletes in track, lacrosse, and basketball) with “Young Quakers” (fourth- through eighth-grade students from four public schools in West Philadelphia) to engage in after-school sports.
The YQ program also goes beyond after-school sports; students get access to the Netter Center’s University-Assisted Community Schools resources, offering them support in their school work as well.
Big Quaker and Penn student athlete Morgan Smith (class of 2024) spoke with her Young Quaker, Ja’Niyah Young, about what the YQ program means to them both and how it impacts their lives beyond just sport.
“Your Stories: Young Quakers Program.” Big Quaker and Penn student athlete Morgan Smith sits down with her Young Quaker, Ja’Niyah Young, to discuss what the YQ program means to them both.
“The thing that got me into YQ was the culture and how nice they were,” said Young, who built new bonds through the program. “What really surprised me was me getting along with other people, because I’m not a people person.”
“What surprised me was how much I learned from [the Young Quakers]. I feel like [they] have taught me and my teammates a lot,” said Smith. “In the beginning I thought it was just going to be about sports. But I came to find out that it was a lot more about the friendships we built.”