More than a Game- It's a Community

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 community members. These meetings serve as a vital platform for collaboration, allowing us to collectively identify and meet both individual and broader community needs.

During our meetings, you'll hear specific individual needs highlighted, such as a family requiring a washer and dryer, a mother searching for rare baby formula, or a young adult needing a laptop for college. Beyond individual cases, we also discuss pressing community-wide issues, like how to support the growing unhoused population, ensure our children are prepared for school, and provide resources for families struggling with difficult choices between basic necessities.

Importantly, these gatherings also showcase the incredible solutions offered by churches, organizations, and individuals in response to these challenges. By convening the Cherokee Collective, CYF significantly multiplies our collective capacity and fosters connections among neighbors in need. We warmly invite you to join us and witness firsthand the power of community in action.

The Cherokee Collective meets at the Thrive Jones Building at 9 AM on the third Thursday of each month. We would be delighted to have you attend and become a part of this impactful initiative.