Schools in- and so is soccer!

August 4, 2025

As the school year kicks off, so does something extraordinary on the fields of Cherokee County: over 300 youth are lacing up their cleats and joining school-based soccer clubs.

For many of these students, joining a sports team wouldn’t be possible without this program. Transportation challenges, financial strain, and limited access to extracurriculars too often keep young people on the sidelines. That’s where CYF steps in—removing barriers and building opportunities where they’re needed most. 

What makes this initiative even more impactful? Our mission goes beyond the team sports experience for these players. Soccer provides CYF the opportunity to give direct support to the school, the players, and their families. Six of the participating schools are Title I, serving communities where families often grapple with poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability. These kids are facing far more than just the pressures of a school day. Many are navigating life with heightened stress and fewer resources.

But when they step on the field, something powerful happens. They become teammates. Leaders. Learners. The soccer field becomes more than a patch of grass—it’s a platform for connection, confidence, and consistency. Our coaches become mentors. The game becomes a gateway to broader support—not just for the students, but for their schools and families as well.

At CYF, we believe in the power of community and helping our neighbors in need. That’s why our mission goes beyond the goal line. From providing emergency support to families in crisis, to partnering with school staff to help them reach each child , we’re investing in more than just sports—we're investing in lives.

So as the school bells ring this fall, we’re proud to be part of what comes after class: laughter, teamwork, perseverance, and growth—on and off the field.