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Give girls a place
to play, grow, and lead.
Girls Softball Via is beginning with three girls already practicing in Barahona. We are building carefully around that small beginning — with safe coaching, equipment, mentorship, school support, and a structure that can grow with them.
Girls Softball Via is an early-stage initiative of Vias RD, operated by The Straley Project, a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 85-0947825) serving youth and families in Barahona, Dominican Republic.
Why Girls Softball Matters
Every child deserves
a Via.
In Barahona, organized sports opportunities are easier for boys to find. We want girls to have a safe place to practice, belong, compete, and grow — while staying connected to school and people who believe in them.
Why Softball?
Softball gives girls a place to learn the game, build confidence, work as a team, and discover what they can do.
Why Barahona?
We are starting where we are: with three girls, local relationships, and a commitment to build something families can trust.
Why Vias RD?
We have learned through baseball that consistency, school accountability, trusted adults, and a place to belong can change the direction of a young life.
What We Are Building
A safe place to play.
A reason to keep going.
Three girls are practicing now. Our goal is to grow those first practices into a consistent, education-first softball program with trusted local coaching, equipment, mentorship, school accountability, and access to the future Vias Learning Center.
Practice & Coaching
Safe, consistent practices led by trusted local adults who can teach the game and build confidence over time.
School First
Girls stay connected to school as the program grows, with academic accountability and support through the Education Via.
Confidence & Leadership
A place to compete, belong, speak up, make friends, and grow into leadership on and off the field.
Access
Our goal is to keep participation free for families so equipment and cost do not decide who gets a chance.
We have already seen what this kind of consistency can do through baseball.
More than 60 youth now participate across Vias RD programs, and 100% of current baseball participants are enrolled in school. Girls Softball Via is our chance to build that same kind of steady support for girls — starting small and building it the right way.
Why Opportunity Matters
Someone took a
chance on them.
These college athletes know what it means when someone takes a chance on you. Someone believed in them before there was any guarantee of what would come next — and that belief helped open doors.
Girls Softball Via is about creating that same kind of opportunity in Barahona. A place to play. A place to belong. A place to build confidence, friendships, and hope for what comes next.
Three girls are practicing today. We want to build around that beginning carefully so they — and the girls who come after them — have more opportunities on and off the field.
A chance can change a season.
The right opportunity can change a life.
Girls Softball Via FAQ
Questions about the Girls Softball Via.
Girls Softball Via is in its early stages, with three girls currently practicing in Barahona. We are building carefully so the program can grow with safe coaching, school support, mentorship, and a trusted place to belong.
Who can participate in the Girls Softball Via?
Three girls are currently participating in early practices in Barahona. As the program grows, our goal is to welcome more girls from Barahona and surrounding communities.
Will participation be free?
Our goal is for participation to remain free for families, supported by donors, sponsors, and founding partners so cost does not decide who gets a chance.
Is the program connected to education?
Yes. The Girls Softball Via is designed to connect participants with tutoring, mentorship, English instruction, academic accountability, and the future Vias Learning Center.
How can I support the program?
You can donate, sponsor equipment, fund coaching and mentorship, support the Learning Center connection, or become a founding partner through Vias RD.
Additional context: World Baseball Softball Confederation · Little League Softball · UNICEF Dominican Republic
Help Build The Girls Softball Via.
Three girls are already practicing. Every gift helps us build around that beginning with equipment, coaching, mentorship, school support, safety, and connection to the future Vias Learning Center.
Give any amount
One-time gift
$600 annually
One-time gift
About $67/mo
Program-building gift
Major gift
Corporate or major donor partnership
Be there from the beginning.
Years from now, girls in Barahona can have opportunities they would not have had otherwise because people chose to believe in a small beginning and help build it the right way. Learn more about Vias RD or contact us about partnership opportunities.