Dream starter
About This Grant
To:Billy Mills and the Running Strong Dreamstarter Selection Committee
From: Missy
Mentor Organization: Az BlueBirds Baseball
Dream Category: Wellness & Youth Leadership
The Dream:
My dream is to ensure that no Native American youth in our community is sidelined by the "geographic tax" of isolation or the prohibitive costs of athletic safety. I envision a community where our youth use baseball not just as a game, but as a vehicle for physical wellness, resilience, and a direct pathway to higher education.
The Need:
In our community, 80% of youth face economic barriers that prevent them from accessing modern, safety-certified equipment. Currently, our players are using expired helmets and cracked bats, also don’t have the proper shoes .This isn't just a sport issue; it is a health and equity issue. Furthermore, our talent remains "invisible" to the world because we lack the resources to travel to regional showcases where college scouts and recruiters are present.
PG Southwest Showcase, D-Backs inter-Tribal tournament, Sun Devil Classic , USA Baseball National Team Are just come of the big showcases
With a $20,000 Dreamstarter grant, I will:
• Establish a Community Equipment Library: Purchase 100% NOCSAE-certified safety gear (helmets, catcher's sets, and bats and prober shoes , uniforms) that will be maintained by our nonprofit for years of sustainable use.
• Launch the Exposure Tour: Fund the travel and registration fees for our youth to attend the Arizona Diamondbacks Inter-Tribal Tournament, placing them on a national stage for the first time.
• Promote Holistic Wellness: Integrate traditional values and nutrition education into our practices, ensuring our athletes are healthy in both mind and body.
Why Me & My Mentor Organization:
As an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, I have lived the challenges my players face. My mentor organization, Az Bluebird baseball, has the established 501(c)(3) infrastructure to manage these funds transparently and sustainably. Together, we will turn this $20,000 investment into a legacy of Indigenous leadership on and off the field.
Closing:
Billy Mills once said, "The ultimate is not to win, but to reach within the depths of your capabilities." My dream is to give our youth the equipment and the stage they need to reach those depths.
Miigwech/Thank you for considering my dream.
Melissa Dawson
azbluebird03@gmail.com
