Marcus moved to Peterborough in the middle of grade 4. New city, new school, no friends. He spent recess alone, watching other kids play basketball on the outdoor court.
His teacher saw a boy who wanted desperately to belong but didn't know how to ask. She reached out to Teachers for Kids Foundation, and within days Marcus had new basketball shoes, a spot on the community league, and a ride to practice twice a week through a volunteer driver program.
By winter, Marcus had made three close friends on the team. His grades improved. He started smiling at school. His mother cried when she told Teachers for Kids Foundation staff what the program had meant.
"Basketball gave Marcus a team," she said. "But Teachers for Kids Foundation gave him a community."
