Game Changers - REACH Fitness Champion Wahab Khan
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
When Wahab first walked into REACH, the middle school student from Edendale was excited to explore what the program had to offer. Now he's become a familiar face in the after-school programs and summer camp, showing up with a smile, ready to participate, learn, and grow.
"Being active and making new friends - that's my favorite part. I also like challenging myself and setting new personal records."
Wahab has found his stride at REACH, exploring everything from sports to cooking to coding. His favorite? Recreation class, especially when badminton is on the schedule. And the consistent physical activity is paying off.
"I feel like I have more energy and I am slowly getting stronger."
His physical strength is growing, and so is his confidence and love for staying active. But what's made the biggest impression on Wahab is something harder to measure: the sense of safety and community.
"We all feel very safe here at REACH. The instructors are always looking out for us."
That feeling of safety creates the foundation for everything else - trying new things, making friends, taking academic and physical risks, and building skills. When youth feel genuinely safe and supported, they engage more fully, learn more deeply, and form the kind of positive relationships that keep them connected to healthy peers and trusted adults.
Wahab has quickly become known for his kindness. He makes friends easily, he's smart, and he's always willing to help others succeed. He's a true team player with a strong sense of community, the kind of young person who makes programs stronger just by being part of them.
During summer camp, Wahab experiences the full range of what REACH offers: daily sports and recreation activities, campus-wide celebrations, and weekly field trips that expand his horizons. His biggest complaint?
"The hardest part is leaving at the end of the day. I wish I could stay longer."
That enthusiasm isn't just heartwarming, it's evidence of what well-designed youth programming accomplishes. DSAL's summer camps and after-school programs provide safe, engaging spaces where youth strengthen social skills, build friendships, and stay healthy. At the same time, they provide parents with peace of mind and the time they need to work or manage their households, knowing their children are cared for, supported, and thriving in the company of healthy peers and caring adults.
As Wahab grows more connected to his REACH community, it's clear he's not just spending time having fun - he's building the foundation for a brighter, healthier future, surrounded by people who believe in him and want to see him succeed.
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