Creating Change Through Sports

On Saturday, September 28th over 150 Coach Across America coaches from Los Angeles and around the country started an intensive four-day training conducted by the Up2Us Center. The National Coach Training Institute focused on applying trauma sensitive coaching and positive youth development techniques through sports to better support at-risk youth.

At the completion of the Coach Training Institute on Tuesday, October 1st, coaches marched to Lafayette Community Center celebrating their send off into communities across the country to use sports to mentor and empower youth. The graduation ceremony, hosted by Up2Us member Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), included a number of special guests who spoke about the importance of being a coach and mentor to at-risk youth. Speakers included HOLA Executive Director Tony Brown, Up2Us Founder Paul Caccamo, former professional soccer player & Up2Us staff member Angela Hucles, Department of Recreation and Parks East District Supervisor Veronica Rodriguez, former professional volleyball player Gabrielle Reece, and former professional tennis player Pam Shriver.

Following the panel discussion, coaches and special guests participated in a gallery walk to further discuss the knowledge and techniques coaches learned during Up2Us’ Coach Training Institute. A closing circle ended the ceremony with a Coach Across America team building tradition, ‘Ketchy Ketchy’ brought to us by our partners at Edgework Consulting.

Congratulations to our graduating Coach Across America coaches! Thank you for committing to a year of service coaching and mentoring at-risk youth through sports! A special thank you to all the special guests and attendees who came out to ‘Creating Change Through Sports: Coach Send Off.’ over 150 Coach Across America coaches.