Yes, poverty most oftentimes refers to a lack of money; however, most of the poverty experienced in underserved communities is the poverty of opportunity. That’s where we come in. When we give resources and provide opportunity, we foster a spirit of hope that will change hearts and mentalities … and will ultimately impact future generations.
Sports reinforce that hard work and teamwork are the keys to success. While many young people dream of being a professional athlete, the reality is that only about 1% of athletes enter professional sports as an athlete. There’s so much more to sports than just playing the game. Being involved teaches discipline, hard work, good sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork – and it provides the opportunity for great mentorship.
Mentorship gives us wisdom from people who’ve been there before and can guide us forward. Children living in poverty are statistically more likely to have stressful, abusive family situations and therefore, a lack of leadership. We have powerful mentors in our network that will speak into their lives and give them the security and resources they need for their own personal development. This includes internships, apprenticeships, education, and faith partners. Our mentors are true leaders who are helping change the conversation from hopelessness and despair to new opportunities and an optimistic future.
Economic Opportunity provides formerly unknown opportunities that open the right doors and put people with the right skills in the right jobs. When we breathe new life into these vulnerable communities, we are providing opportunities for entrepreneurship, new jobs, workforce training, and connections with various communities. As a result, family units are impacted from the top down – cultivating a message of hope and opportunity.
We’re investing in more than just our youth – our efforts are an investment in entire communities. Serving these young people teaches and inspires them to serve their neighbors. We’re helping them develop skills to become true leaders and impact generations to come.
