Arlington International Racecourse Barn Notes: Sunday, June 25

By Bailey Gallison —-

NEW SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR THE BACKSTRETCH

Sophie Ali, daughter of trainer Alnaz Ali, together with the support of Arlington International Racecourse, has organized the Summer Enrichment Program for the Backstretch, a once-a-month program for the children of families living and working on the backstretch. Ali, who spent two years working for a non-profit focusing on youths in need, moved to the north suburbs and was looking for a way to become involved in the community again. Due to her familiarity with the racetrack, she focused her attention on organizing a summer program for the many kids that live on the backstretch with their families.

“It was when I was working in the Quad Cities after I graduated college that I became familiar with the concept of summer learning loss with kids who don’t have a lot going on in the summer, or whose parents can’t get them involved in summer camps or summer sports,” Ali explained. “There is a time when they aren’t learning anything, and that can really impact their education when the school year starts again.”

“I spoke to Ed Arriola (Director of Public Safety at Arlington),” said Ali. “He said, ‘I think it’s a really good idea, there should be something back there for those kids.’ He was immediately supportive and welcoming of the idea. I sent him a proposal of everything I was envisioning, and we went back and forth to see what was possible to do and what wouldn’t work.”

Together with Arriola, Housing Coordinator Sarai Rodriguez and Matt Decancq from Levy Resturaunts, Ali was able to plan and implement the once-a-month program. The first program took place on May 28 with special guests Arlington Bugler Monica Benson and musician Robbie Gold who went over the basics of music with the kids. Ali says 30 signed up for the program, but as time went on other kids noticed the gathering and joined it, and by the end of the program they had more than 60 children involved.

“It was absolutely amazing just to see that they were interested in what was going on and wanted to participate,” said Ali. “We were really excited that we could reach that many kids.”

Each date features a different guest for the 60-minute program, which includes guided activity for the kids. Afterwards, guests and volunteers interact and play with the kids during a free period before the children are served box lunches provided by Levy.

“When the kids are having such a good time, it certainly goes on a bit longer,” Ali added. “The kids come at 10:00 am, we have about an hour of the program with our guest, and then we do about 30-45 minutes of open house free time – half of the kids usually want to draw, color, and play board games inside, and the other half want to play outside. We hang out with the kids, talk to them, and then we serve them lunch. We’re trying to keep a healthy balance and add an educational aspect by having outside resources come, but still let them be kids and let the volunteers get to know them. We want it to be a fun experience for the kids along with being educational, engaging and interactive for them.”

The June 25 program featured guests from the Elite Soccer Community Organization. Coaches and youth leaders from the organization taught skillsets and drills to the kids, as well as played scrimmage games in the soccer fields behind the housing dormitories.

“They’ve been absolutely amazing to work with,” said Ali of the Elite Soccer Community Organization. “It was a lot of outside activity which was really great for the kids because they had so much energy at the last program.”

Upcoming guests include the Arlington Heights Fire Department, Arlington Heights Police Department, and the Arlington Park jockeys. The program is off to a successful start thanks to its volunteers, including Monica Benson and Robbie Gold, Lee Ann Ali, Rick Watson, Annie Nordin, Kevin Dolan and Sarai Rodriguez.

“Monica volunteers and I’m sure it’s cool for the kids because they see her on TV and at the races, and then she’s back there working with them. Rick Watson, who retired last year from Guest Services, has been an amazing supporter and volunteer. They work at the racetrack and they know that these kids could really use their support, and I think the kids really appreciate it.”

“The hope is that next year it can grow to maybe every-other weekend so the kids have something to do during their time here that is productive, educational, and so that they can see people care about them, and that the people who are role models take the time to spend the day with them.”

Three more dates remain for the Summer Enrichment Program, including July 23, August 27, and September 17. The program is open to the children living on the backstretch in Kindergarten through 8th grade.