As an 8 th grade student at Chinook Middle School in SeaTac, I was your typical "at-risk" youth. I skipped classes on a regular basis, was becoming lured by the local Hispanic/Latino gangs, and was failing many of my classes. If I received a passing grade (a D) in a class, it was a great accomplishment in my eyes. In an effort to help me, my father brought me to the Soccer and Scouting program, a program designed to reach Hispanic/Latino elementary age boys, and inquired if there was something the Boy Scouts could do for me.

Based on their discussions and the realization of a need for a program for older youth, the Scouts created a Venturing program. I began participating in the summer, which normally occurred after my summer school classes. At the beginning, I was very reserved.  When I did talk, most of the language I used was foul.  But after some time in the program, my attitude began to change. I was not as angry as before and would engage those around me with respect and a good attitude.

The biggest change occurred after I had a chance to attend Venturing camp at Camp Piggott with my father. When I attended school the next year, a passing grade was not the great accomplishment as before as I made efforts to do my very best in class. I burned all of my gang paraphernalia. I was hired by a local financial advisor to help with office work as a freshman in high school. Now, I encourage my friends to avoid gangs and make good choices based on my involvement in the Soccer and Scouting program.

Galia's story is just one of the many success stories that the Peter M. Putnam Foundation has been proud to support.  It is only through partners like yourself that the Putnam Foundation can support children like Galia in the Seattle Scores Program.

If you would like to support more children like Galia please click here and allow more children to excel in life.

Matthew has spent his whole life fighting the odds. When he was very young Matthew was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, an inherited neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocal noises. Due to this disease Matthew did not speak until he was four and has spent the rest of his seventeen years overcoming tremendous odds.

When Matthew was twelve his parents signed him up to participate in the First Tee of Greater Seattle Golf program that the Putnam Foundation supports through scholarships. Their hope was by involving him in quality programs he would become more social and excel in life. First Tee inundated Matthew with the values of sportsmanship, integrity, respect and responsibility. With the skills he learned in First Tee, Mathew is excelling in life. He is now a state level swimmer, honor student, Boy Scout and will be one of fourteen participants honored nationwide with a scholarship for leadership, community service and overcoming obstacles involved.

Matthew always has a positive attitude and said the key to coping with disability is "taking advantage of all the opportunities you're given and trying your hardest to succeed."