HowaRd Family's Volo Kids Story
For parents John and Melissa, sports have always been more than just games—they’re opportunities for their daughters, Yvonne (11) and Lena (8), to grow in confidence, resilience, and build community.
When Yvonne first joined Volo Kids, it was to try volleyball. Already active in dance, soccer, swimming, and a church youth group, she was ready for a new challenge. Melissa said, “Volleyball felt like a natural fit, especially with several players already in our orbit.”
True to her determined and independent nature, Yvonne’s younger sister, Lena, had other interests—until Yvonne invited her o ‘Bring a Friend Week.’
Reluctantly at first, Lena joined—and loved it. With encouraging coaches and a small, welcoming group, volleyball soon became part of her story, too.
Both girls’ journeys are unique, making their experiences with Volo Kids especially meaningful. Yvonne has dyscalculia, a learning difference with numbers, and sports give her confidence and success beyond academics. Lena, who just nearly survived birth and once struggled to hold a pencil, now beams as she spikes a volleyball over the net.
“It’s such a powerful reinforcement of how far they’ve both come,” Melissa said. “These programs remind her—and us—that showing up matters more than winning or losing.”
For John and Melissa’s family, access to free, high-quality sports programs makes all the difference. “Sports are the great equalizer,” Melissa reflected. “On the court, every kid is on the same playing field, working together toward a common goal. Volo Kids gives them that feeling of achievement you never forget—the kind you can carry into every part of life.”
Today, their Volo Kids t-shirts are a regular sight around the house, a reminder of the joy and growth the girls have found through play. “The magic of Volo Kids,” Melissa said, “is that it gives kids the values and experiences they need to become responsible, resilient humans. And it gives families like ours a community to belong to.”
Sincerely,
The Howard Family
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12/19/2025 , info@volokids.org