CYF - Blog

On the first day, Jayden stood on the edge of the field with untied cleats, nervous eyes, and a water bottle nearly as big as he was. He wasn’t sure he belonged there. Life at home felt heavy, and he carried worries he didn’t think his teammates would understand. It left him quiet, guarded, and unsure of his place in the world. Then his coach noticed. Coach Scott knelt beside him, gently showed him how to tighten his laces, and said the words that changed everything: “You’re

Behind every great athlete, there’s often a coach who believed in them first. But the best coaches are more than instructors of sport—they are mentors who shape character, confidence, and connection in the lives of young people. Mentor- coaches combine guidance with the discipline and teamwork that sports naturally provide. Perhaps most importantly, mentor-coaches create a space where every player feels seen, valued, and part of something bigger. A mentor-coach sees more than

School- based soccer clubs are in full swing in Cherokee! How is it going? Allow us to share a bit about one participating student, Maya. When 11-year-old Maya first joined her school’s soccer club, she was nervous. She said she wasn’t the fastest runner, and she had never played on a team before. But within a few weeks, something remarkable is happening. Her afternoons are filled with laughter, running drills, and cheering alongside teammates who quickly became friends. Her

August 25, 2025 I wanted to share some compelling information about the positive impact of soccer on children's health and well- being, especially within underserved and under- resourced communities. A recent report from the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition highlights that participation in youth sports offers both immediate and long-term benefits for young people, their families, and the wider community. The findings are truly remarkable: 80% of parents s

August 18, 2025 Cherokee Youth Foundation (CYF) brings soccer to 10 schools in Cherokee, some of which are Title I schools. We go beyond soccer to work to address various needs lifted up by the school and within our community through the Cherokee Collective. Seven years ago, what started as a small group of business owners has grown into a robust monthly gathering of approximately 100 members, including service providers, churches, schools, civic leaders, and concerned comm

August 4, 2025 As the school year kicks off, so does something extraordinary on the fields of Cherokee County: over 300 youth are lacing...