Heart of the City

1) we provided free grassroots community outreach soccer clinics at multiple locations (schools, parks) throughout lake county, providing free introductory recreational soccer clinics and camps to 380 underserved youth ages 5-12 in 2023. 2) we provided a recreational soccer academy, in four school districts for 6-8 week seasons throughout the year, which develop the fundamentals of soccer and give youth life skills and experiences in safe after school spaces for 457 underserved youth ages 5-12 in 2023. 3) we provided a competitive travel program for 320 underserved youth ages 8-19 with caring professional coaches and mentors combined with a robust youth development curriculum focused on post-secondary support, workforce development, social-emotional learning, and health and wellness resources in 2023.

1) our youth development & support program provides a holistic approach to the wellbeing of underserved student athletes off the field, focusing on life skills to empower youth, as well as physical, social, emotional, and mental health combined with educational and post-secondary support and resources. 2) we coordinated 12 college visits to local and regional colleges for middle and high school students in 2023. 3) we coordinated with 15 corporations and businesses to expose middle and high school students to a variety of career paths and trades via field trips and career chats in 2023. 4) we hosted 3 college id events for 225 high school youth to play in front of over 27 local and regional college recruiters in 2023. 5) additional youth development programs and services provided to families and youth around building life skills and youth violence prevention: leadership and team building events and activities, community resources and partner referrals, parent and family

Founded as a community outreach program, Heart of the City's purpose is to make soccer more accessible to all children regardless of their socioeconomic standing. It's unique mission as a sports-based youth development organization helps young people thrive with on-the-field soccer, team and leadership skill building combined with off-the-field life skills and support. the typical soccer league charges up to $7,000-$9,000 per child, making it impossible for some families to participate, especially those in underserved communities and those with multiple children. Heart of the City subsidizes over 90% of the the costs of the program to make the sport more accessible to families who need it, which means that families pay only 7-10% of the total cost for the year. We also offer payment plans and scholarships to families in need.