Sports4Kids’ first clinic of the season was held at Chollas-Mead Elementary School, a Title 1 school in San Diego’s Chollas View neighborhood.
“About 85 to 90 percent of the students in these schools are low-income,” Arden Parra, 15, founder of the nonprofit organization Sports 4 Kids, told NBC 7. “Unfortunately, because of budget cuts, they can no longer hire professional sports coaches for their gym classes.”
The free clinics will help fill that gap by providing free practice and bringing in professional soccer coaches.
Parra founded the clinic. He is currently a full-time student at Francis Parker High School. He is also the youngest person in the nation to receive the President’s Council Award in Washington, DC.
“Well, it’s not easy,” he said. “The main message I try to get across is that young people have the passion to make a difference. They’re not just doing it for college or community service. I would say a lot of kids really have the passion.”
Fifth-graders Cheryl Tejeda and Robert Lanloye joined the newest Sports4Kids group with their friends.
“A lot of people just say, you’re not good at it,” Tejeda said when asked if he ever felt discouraged. “Whether you believe that or not is up to you to decide.”
Lanroye sees these clinics as an investment in his future career as a professional football player.
“I want to make money for my family and friends so they don’t end up poor or homeless,” he said, “and I want to give some to charity.”
His advice on rising to the top was to “never forget where you come from and don’t get caught up in the fame and stuff.”
Sports4Kids’ next initiative is called “Gear Up,” which gives high school students across the country the opportunity to host their own sports clinics for low-income kids in their local communities.
Students can apply here.
