Jessica Dudley created Organización de Amigos in 2023 as an after-school program in Oregon serving Title I school students.
Dudley came up with the idea when she realized that students with limited means and those struggling with academics would benefit from CrossFit the most. That said, most of them wouldn’t be able to get to the box every day.
So, she decided to bring the program to them.
Since 2023, Organización de Amigos has grown tremendously with the help of their greater CrossFit community.
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Some Updates
“Over the past year, Organización de Amigos has experienced tremendous growth and impact,” Dudley told Morning Chalk Up in a recent interview.
- “We’ve expanded our CrossFit after-school programs to a total of three schools, serving 75 students — up from two schools and 50 students last year.”
With a coaching staff now consisting of four — Dudley as well as coaches Lexi, James, and Jesus — they have integrated CrossFit into the PE curriculum at one of their partner schools, which expands their reach to over 200 students.
They also added a mentorship program, “which fosters leadership, resilience, and personal growth,” Dudley explains.
They’ve incorporated student events, which bring together students across participating schools, while parents play an active role via planning committees. This ensures that they are directly involved in the organization and execution of the events.
Examples of Student Impact
One student who stands out to Dudley is a fifth-grade boy who joined the program last fall.
He had a reputation for struggling in the classroom, an issue that escalated after winter break this year. He would leave his classroom and refuse to re-enter.
This same behavior began to show up in CrossFit around the same time. However, he never quit showing up.
- “Despite challenges, [he] consistently showed up, scaling and modifying workouts as needed, always giving his best effort. What helps him move forward is the program’s emphasis on effort over perfection—encouraging him to move at his own pace and simply not give up,” Dudley said.
She also pointed out that his friends play a crucial role in motivating him through their efforts while encouraging him.
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Another student in the program is a young girl who faced significant self-doubt during their fall benchmark assessment. She was discouraged after finishing with the slowest time and found herself overwhelmed.
However, during the reassessment that was held recently, during what the organization calls “Celebration Week,” the young athlete beat her previous time.
- “She was beaming, and that confidence is a testament to the strength of our program: We tell the kids that it’s not about being the best; it’s about showing up for yourself, giving your all, and having fun,” Dudley said. “We emphasize that these lessons aren’t just for today—they’re skills that students carry into adulthood.”
How To Get Involved
The organization’s biggest fundraiser, the C4K Competition, will be hosted by CrossFit Wilsonville in Wilsonville, OR, on October 4.
This event gives athletes in the Portland area an opportunity to come together to support the organization’s cause. This year will be the fifth year running the event.
- “Businesses can get involved through sponsorships, donating items for athlete bags, or providing in-kind donations to our raffle. For those who are out of state or outside the Portland Metro area, virtual donations, sponsoring athletes, and sharing our mission on social media are impactful ways to contribute. If businesses are interested in partnering with us, they can email me directly.” Dudley shared.
Affiliates and athletes can also support Organización de Amigos by registering to compete, following the Instagram account, or visiting the website for updates.
In addition to the C4K Competition, smaller fundraisers take place throughout the year.
- These include “Raise the Bar,” an unsanctioned weightlifting meet on April 13 and a Jog-A-Thon on May 10. Businesses and individuals can support these events as well by competing or opting to partner and sponsor.
The Community Impact of Organización de Amigos
The effect on the students’ and schools’ communities is deep. The organizers see kids developing into healthy humans who are learning how to take care of their bodies as they grow.
- “They become adults who have instilled values such as discipline, hard work, teamwork, empathy, and kindness,” Dudley says.
Some of the parents are even joining CrossFit gyms themselves, inspired by their children’s participation, improved fitness, and increased confidence.
The Bottom Line
While the organization has markedly grown since its inception two years ago, the team has hopes and goals to expand to even more schools and hire even more coaches. In order to do this, they rely on community support.
There are a number of activities for businesses and individuals to get involved in and offer sponsorship for activities like capture the flag events and other large-scale outdoor games.
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Featured Image: @organizaciondeamigos / Instagram
