UP2US SPORTS WILL PROVIDE 10 COACHES FOR CAMDEN YOUTH SPORTS NON-PROFITS, REACH MORE THAN 600 CHILDREN
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY – JULY 6, 2021 – Just weeks after The Aspen Institute released “State of Play Camden,” a comprehensive report assessing the landscape of sport activities for youth, The Sixers Youth Foundation has announced a $75,000 grant to Up2Us Sports (Up2Us). Up2Us is an organization that trains and develops sports-based youth development coaches, practitioners, and organizations to address the most pressing issues facing youth in under-resourced urban communities.
“With important takeaways from the “State of Play Camden” report in mind, we are proud to partner with Up2Us to help close the gaps that exist in access to youth sports within Camden,” said Sixers Youth Foundation Chair Marjorie Harris. “Through their sports-based training programs, Up2Us is leading the charge in creating opportunities for youth to experience sports who might not otherwise be able to. We’re excited to see the power of mentorship in action, and how these resources will go towards serving Camden youth and strengthening local communities.”
The “State of Play Camden” report provided valuable insight into the Camden community and areas that need improvement in the youth sports space. One recommendation from the report was to increase the number of sports offered. As such, Up2Us will work with local non-profits to identify sports that have not been offered and work to provide more options for local youth. In addition, Up2Us will provide coaches that not only coach these sports, but also act as mentors to participants in the program.
“We are deeply grateful to the Sixers Youth Foundation and AmeriCorps for their generosity and partnership,” said Paul Caccamo, Founder & CEO, Up2Us Sports. “We believe this grant will be game-changing for youth in Camden, providing critical support and mentorship to over 600 children. We look forward to putting these resources to work and seeing the positive impact that results from this collective effort.”
The $75,000 grant from the Sixers Youth Foundation will provide Up2Us with training, support, health insurance, evaluation, uniforms, onboarding and other program activities. Additional support from AmeriCorps will provide education stipends for the 10 coaches. This can be used towards attending college, vocational school, or evening classes. The goal is to help these coaches choose their careers whether it’s through youth coaching or other career paths.
ABOUT THE SIXERS YOUTH FOUNDATION:
Established in 2015, the Sixers Youth Foundation is the nonprofit extension of the Philadelphia 76ers and a regional philanthropy focused on youth development across the Delaware Valley. The Foundation believes in utilizing the power of sport and the influence of the 76ers brand to inspire future generations in the communities where our fans live, work and play. For more information, visit sixersyouthfoundation.org.