For the seventh consecutive year, Up2Us Sports has received funding from Serve Illinois, Illinois’ state service commission. For the 2020-2021 year, the $305,581 grant will support 30 Up2Us Sports coaches around the city of Chicago with emphasis on economically vulnerable communities of the South and West Side.

This cohort of national service members will serve 1,200 youth and engage them in athletic and mentorship activities that are designed to improve their physical health and develop social-emotional learning skills that will help achieve their potential on and off the playing field.

Since 2015, Serve Illinois has provided grants for 121 service members through Up2Us Sports, who have served 5,762 youth throughout the city of Chicago.

“The partnership between Serve Illinois and Up2Us Sports and our five local community partners provides a meaningful opportunity for caring adult mentors to serve their country and community and make a difference in the lives of young people,” says Hillery Gladden, National Director, Up2Us Coach. “Sports-based youth development is vital to the health and growth of youth in Illinois especially during the era of COVID-19 and in the light of the current social justice movement.”

Serve Illinois is a 40 member (25 voting and 15 non-voting), bipartisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by IDPH. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. Serve Illinois supports local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps program. For more information on the Serve Illinois and a full description of each AmeriCorps program, visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov

We are currently actively recruiting coaches and host sites nationwide. If you are interested in becoming a coach-mentor or hosting a coach in Chicago or its surrounding communities, please contact hgladden@up2ussports.org or fnares@up2ussports.org.