About Us
“Girls who play sports are more likely to graduate from high school, go to college, and hit leadership levels across all industries.”
Research consistently shows that girls who play sports are more likely to graduate, attend college, and become leaders in business and government. Yet thousands of girls in our own community never have the opportunity to play because of cost, transportation, and limited access.
Once we understood the connection between sports and leadership, we knew the question wasn't whether sports changed lives - it was why so many girls were being left out.
Our Story
Sometimes the biggest ideas begin with a single statistic.
In February 2024, our founder, Melyssa Jaskiewicz, attended the National Sports Forum in Pittsburgh. For the first time in the conference's history, there was an all-female leadership panel. As the conversation unfolded, one question kept coming to mind: Why are so many successful women former athletes?
After the conference, Melyssa picked up Money, Power, Respect by panelist Macaela MacKenzie. The research confirmed what she had begun to suspect: girls who play sports are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, earn higher incomes, and become leaders in business, government, and their communities.
But one statistic stood above the rest: 94% of women in C-suite leadership roles played sports.
That realization changed everything.
If sports have the power to shape future leaders, why aren't all girls playing?
The answer wasn't ability or interest. It was barriers—cost, access, and limited opportunities.
On the flight home to Charleston, Melyssa filled a notebook with ideas for an organization that would remove those barriers and give every girl the opportunity to experience the lifelong benefits of sports.
Just months later, Leveling the Fields became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. By the fall of 2024, our first EmpowerPlay program was serving girls in local schools. Today, we're partnering with schools and communities across the Charleston area to help more girls discover their confidence, develop leadership skills, and realize what's possible—one program, one school, and one girl at a time.
Because when more girls play, more women lead.
What We Do
Our flagship program, EmpowerPlay, is a 9-week after-school multisport program for girls in grades 3–5. Each session runs two days a week and takes place right at the school, no transportation needed.
HOW IT WORKS
Girls rotate through three sports (chosen from soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, and lacrosse) every three weeks
Each session includes sports instruction, a snack break, and 30 minutes of structured empowerment curriculum with their Empowerment journals
All equipment, supplies, snacks, and water bottles are provided
Programs at Title I schools are fully funded by LTF through grants, donations, and corporate sponsors
Head coaches are trained and paid by Leveling the Fields
Our Impact
In our first two years, we have worked with two school districts, several public schools, and a charter school.
300+ Girls participated
17 Programs Executed
2 Coach Trainings
30+ Volunteers
Where We Are
We currently serve girls in Charleston and Berkeley counties, with most programs hosted at Title I elementary schools.
Our goal is to establish a chapter in every state in the US.
Who We Are
Leveling the Fields is supported by a growing network of coaches, educators, community leaders, and professionals who contribute their expertise across programs, development, marketing, operations, and community engagement. Together with our Executive Board and Advisory Council, they help us expand opportunities for girls throughout South Carolina. We are proud to hold Candid's Gold Seal of Transparency, reflecting our commitment to accountability, stewardship, and impact.