The KEY Collective excitedly announces #areuin? card program statistics from the 2023-2024 school year, reporting significant engagement among local youth. A total of 395 children received #areuin? cards, unlocking access to programs at 31 partner organizations across the Seacoast.

#areuin? card members accessed 441 programs last school year. Impressively, 100 of these programs were new experiences for card members, showing that 25% of #areuin? kids stepped out of their comfort zones to try something different. Programs include sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball/softball, and lacrosse, among others, as well as theater, arts activities, and summer camps.

"We’re thrilled to see so many kids engaged and exploring new opportunities around the Seacoast," says Executive Director Kristyn LaFleur. "The #areuin? card program is about more than just participation; it’s about opening doors and encouraging kids to discover their passions."

The success of the #areuin? card program can be largely attributed to the generosity of 31 local partners, who collectively donated $138,900 in program scholarships to support the participation of card members in these activities. Hampton Parks & Recreation, Exeter Parks & Recreation, Exeter Area YMCA & FC Exeter were among the largest contributors of scholarships. Play Practice Basketball (Portsmouth, NH) was the highest for-profit contributor. Founder BJ Mumford and his team gave full scholarships to five players, totaling over $5,400. 

Hampton Parks & Recreation donated over $30,700 in scholarships to #areuin? card members. “Our partnership with The KEY Collective has been instrumental in helping remove barriers for Hampton youth to participate in our programs. The best part is that parents don’t have to face the stigma of having to share their financial situation with multiple people in order to get some help. Once the child is accepted into the #areuin? card program, parents can register them for our programs using the #areuin? membership rate, which is only 25% of the total cost. Removing that stigma helps break down those barriers that may keep someone from registering their child,” explains Jesse Moore, Program Coordinator at Hampton Parks & Recreation. 

FC Exeter recognizes the value of playing in a hometown sports league, especially for the kids that may not have access to other opportunities due to family financial situations. "The #areuin? card offers FC Exeter Soccer families a seamless and confidential way to register for Youth Soccer, providing a pathway for more players to participate in our program without financial burden. Access to youth sports is more than the sport itself; it builds character and teamwork through the power of play, which is especially valuable within a regional school district where it can foster peer connections some players may never have,” shares Maria Proulx, President of FC Exeter’s Board of Directors.

The KEY Collective provides K-12 youth from low-income families throughout NH's seacoast region access to sports and other youth activities for free or at a reduced cost with no red tape and no social stigma. Since its founding in 2017, The KEY Collective has served over 1,400 kids across the Seacoast by connecting them to 31 program partner activities, including sports, arts, summer camps, and other youth activities.

For the full list of #areuin? card partners and more information about how you can get involved, visit www.keycollective.org.