National nonprofit Up2Us Sports, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, has been awarded a King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grant to improve the quality of coaching in key neighborhoods in Seattle. In the coming year, Seattle Parks and Recreation and Up2Us Sports are partnering to place seven AmeriCorps service members as youth sports coaches in high impact community centers around the city. As part of the Up2Us Coach program, each service member will receive more than 32 hours of sports-based youth development training, trauma-sensitive coaching training, professional development, and ongoing support from both national and regional staff members.

In addition to the coach cohort, the partnership includes four trainings for all Parks and Recreation coaches as well as coaches in community organizations.

“We are excited about the partnership with Up2Us Sports which will place AmeriCorps coaches at several community centers to ensure youth and teens have the opportunity to participate in recreational youth sports programs,” said Lori Chisholm, the Out of School Time/Youth Athletics Manager at Seattle Parks and Recreation. She continued by sharing that, “access and equity is core to Seattle Parks and Recreation and this partnership will provide the chance for many youth and teens to have a place to play, grow and learn.”

This partnership is made possible by funding through the first year of King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grant program. The grants increase opportunities and access for young people to engage in healthy physical activity through new or improved facilities or programs, especially those serving under-resourced communities. To learn more and view the full list of grantees, click here.