Dear Monarchs Family

It has been an exciting summer for some of our program alumni! Check out the update below for some examples of young people moving through the world as ambassadors of the "Monarch Way." The ripples of the work that we do are both wide and deep. Please remember when you support the Monarchs you are supporting a lifetime of impact that goes well beyond the playing fields of South Philadelphia!

Alumni Spotlight - Monarchs on the Move

Down in Houston, Femi Awodesu is in the midst of his rookie season with the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer. Femi is starting regularly as a defender and has been contributing significantly to his team's campaign. Check out the video of Femi's first career goal here!

Scott Bandura was recently promoted to Double-A Richmond in the San Francisco Giants organization. Scott made quite a debut, hitting a home run in his first game as a Flying Squirrel! Fittingly, Scott's first game in Richmond came on the same night that the team honored the "Richmond 34" a group of student protestors who's bravery during the Civil Rights movement was a galvanizing moment in the city's history. Even in pro ball, the Monarchs and social justice go hand in hand!

Jahli Hendricks' life was changed by baseball, and now he's changing other people's lives through his role in the game. In his first year as an Area Scout for the Chicago Cubs Jahli was responsible for making recommendations to the team on which amateur players to pursue in the Major League Baseball draft. One of the players he advocated for was drafted by Chicago, the first of many young players for whom Jahli will create life-changing opportunities!

Just weeks after graduating from Ursinus College, where he was a four year starter on the baseball team, Jakob Cantor finds himself in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, as a member of the Brantford Red Sox. The team is part of the semi-pro Intercounty Baseball League, one of the oldest baseball leagues in North America. We wish Jakob luck as he takes this next step in his baseball journey! Here's a nice reel the team put together for his debut.

Jakob's longtime teammate and friend Chris Griggs also made a big move recently! Days after graduating from Clarkson University he drove to Colorado to start work as an Engineering Technician for a Denver-based engineering firm. Chris spent multiple summers as a coach and counselor in our program and we know his leadership skills and work ethic will shine in his professional career. Good luck in the Rockies, Chris!

Demetrius Isaac has lived every aspect of the Monarchs experience, first as a player and now as both a coach and board member. This lifetime of sports based youth development has well prepared "Coach Meech" for his latest endeavor as a trainer with the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport. Meech is part of a national team of trainers who support coaches and educators in their work and help them understand the powerful role that sports can play in building resilience, managing stress, healing from trauma, and creating life-changing connections with others. Just this summer Meech has trained baseball coaches in New York, summer camp counselors and staff in Philly and DC, Nike Community Ambassadors in Atlanta, after-school teachers in LA, and football and cheer coaches in Philly. It is exciting to see the "Monarch Way" making its way around the country, and for Meech to bring so much new knowledge and relationships back into our organization!

Mo'ne Davis, a trailblazing Monarchs alum you may have heard of, made headlines recently when she announced she will be trying out for the new Women's Pro Baseball League launching in 2026. See the recent article about Mo'ne's journey in the Philadelphia Inquirer, which includes some video of Mo working out with Coach Steve and getting back in baseball form. We wish Mo'ne luck in this exciting next chapter!

Support the Monarchs!

Your investment in youth today does more than buy uniforms, pay coaches, provide transportation, and support educational costs. It lays the foundation for a lifetime of excellence on and off the field. None of our work is possible with the generous support of individuals just like you. Thank you for believing in us!