This nonprofit organization uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize youth in various developing countries to overcome health issues and live healthier, more productive lives in their communities (1). Interestingly, Bowdoin College’s men and women’s soccer teams host an annual tournament in collaboration with this organization. This year, the tournament will be held on May 6th (2017) at Bowdoin College.
This organization, based in DC, focuses on more than 50 DC public and charter schools through school/community-based health education and civic engagement of NCAA athletes. They provide an eight-week health education program in their schools and partner with other local organizations and government health departments to provide health screenings and education at local community events. They also engage generations of university student-athletes to enter these schools and coach.
BALLER Camps engage at-risk students with free summer camps that teaches teamwork, personal accountability, and respect for others through basketball. These camps also focus on preparing students to participate in school teams (an activity that increases a student’s probability to graduate). While gaining athletic skills, these students learn from former student-athletes how participating in team sports has helped them in their success in college and their careers (3).
Beginning in middle-school, Baltimore youth join SquashWise for a long-term support system and opportunity. Through squash, SquashWise helps students realize their academic, athletic, and personal potential. Each student in the program is ensured to graduate from high school and is thoroughly prepared for the next step, college. These students enter college ready to excel in their continuing education and career. SquashWise also guides their students in picking the best college for them and the best career path (4).
Beat the Streets aims to impact and improve the lives and potentials of New York City student-athletes through amateur wrestling. They believe that the benefits and skills acquired through participating in wrestling are valuable and vital to teach. Wrestling holds an “uncommon combination” of characteristics that lead to improved social/personal development and eventually lead to better life outcomes in the student-athlete participants. Beat the Streets works with disadvantaged and at-risk middle and high school students in all five boroughs of New York City (5).
This non-profit organization was created in 2007 to engage teachers, families, and school staff in impacting school health education in Chicago Public Schools. Chicago Run’s mission is to promote the health and wellness of children through innovative, engaging, and sustainable youth running programs (6).
Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing equipment, apparel and footwear to those most in need. They partner with companies to provide the equipment. They also partner with different organizations throughout America to equip them with what they need to succeed.
LA84:
The LA84, based in Southern California, helps youth sports organizations through grant making, training coaches, commissioning research, creating conferences, and being a leader in youth sports issues. It is a nationally recognized leader in support of youth sports programs and public education about the role of sports in positive youth development. LA84 levels the playing field so that sport is accessible to all children, while elevating the field of youth sports as an integral part of American life (8).
Falcons Youth and Family Services:
Falcons Youth & Family Services, created in 2005, is a volunteer-driven tackle football and cheer organization serving youth in South Los Angeles and surrounding communities. The Falcons offer programming in academic assistance, gang intervention, leadership development and obesity reduction. The Falcons provide academic support to participants through a homework trailer at every practice and game (9).
LA’s Best, created in 1988, serves Los Angeles youths. The mission of LA’s BEST is to provide a safe and supervised after school education, enrichment and recreation program for children ages 5 to 12 in the City of Los Angeles. Students participate in year-round sports, including flag football, basketball, softball and soccer (10).