On Saturday, September 26, World Champion rock climber and Up2Us Sports ambassador, Sasha DiGiulian, travelled to Boston to climb with 20 youth from Up2Us Sports member organization Youth Enrichment Services (YES). She climbed with the kids and taught them techniques and strategies for being better climbers, and discussed the impact her coaches have had on her life. Sasha believes in the power of sports and trained coaches to help kids develop leadership and life skills such as resiliency, grit, self-esteem, and discipline—qualities that help kids lead healthy, successful lives. “Sports can be one of the most powerful tools to positively transform kids' lives. Climbing has provided me with a sense of direction, identity, and empowerment. I’m so grateful for all of the people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve had through rock climbing and I want to do what I can to help make sure all kids have the chance to live out their dreams” said Sasha.

"My climbers are still talking about how inspiring it was to meet Sasha. The highlight of my day was watching Sasha spend one-on-one time coaching and motivating the kids to reach new heights,” said Ethan George, Community Outreach Coordinator at YES. “I can't think of a better way to inspire youth in our under-resourced communities to get excited about rock climbing than to introduce them to a powerful role model like Sasha who has set and achieved such amazing goals."

YES inspires and challenges youth with physical and mental activities that foster life-long respect for self, others, and the environment. The program gives 1,600+ youth access to high-quality after-school leadership and enrichment programs each year. Students who attended the event came from Josiah Quincy Upper School in Chinatown, Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester and Patrick Lyndon School in West Roxbury.