Coaching Corps to offer trainings, resources, and support free of charge to afterschool programs
Oakland, Calif & Washington D.C. – September 2, 2021 – Coaching Corps and the Afterschool Alliance have teamed up to offer coaches and afterschool professionals access to youth development and social-emotional learning tools and resources that can help them positively transform kids’ lives.
It’s never been more important for young people to have access to mentors with the skills to make a difference through sports. Through this partnership, afterschool programs nationwide will gain free access to nationally recognized trainings, such as Coaching with Empathy and Coaching for Character, as well as extended access to the latest in sports activities, videos, and tools from a network of experts through Coaches Corner, a digital portal for coach training, resources, and national discussion forums.
“The tools and resources Coaching Corps can offer will help coaches and staff at afterschool programs be even more successful in helping students during what is a difficult time for many,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “We are delighted with this partnership, which gives us the chance to bring Coaching Corps’ excellent resources to even more afterschool programs and the students they serve.”
“We are excited to partner with the Afterschool Alliance, as we work together to ensure that all youth in low-income communities of color have access to quality afterschool programs and trained, caring coaches. Coaching Corps is thrilled to offer programs in the Alliance network free access to our online coach training and resources and help ensure coaches are prepared to connect and build empathetic relationships with their players,” said Chris Fajardo, Chief Program Officer, Coaching Corps.
The systemic inequalities faced by youth in low-income communities of color such as discrimination, economic hardship, racism and exposure to violence, can result in toxic stress, a condition that often leads to lifelong challenges in learning, behavior and mental and physical health. Fortunately, research indicates that supportive, responsive relationships with caring adults – like teachers and coaches – can prevent, and even reverse, the damaging impacts of toxic stress response.
Based on this evidence, Coaching Corps has developed empathy training that teaches coaches and mentors how to appreciate the perspective of kids and connect with them. With deep listening and self-reflection, coaches learn to develop strong relationships with kids and to create a supportive and healing environment.
To learn more about partnership opportunities with Coaching Corps click here.
About Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.afterschoolalliance.org.
About Coaching Corps
Since 2012, Coaching Corps has been fueling a movement of skilled coaches to give kids in low-income communities of color the sports mentors they want and deserve. By partnering with over 700 afterschool programs across the country, Coaching Corps has provided more than 210,000 youth and kids in low-income communities of color with the opportunity to play sports under the guidance of a caring, well-trained coach. Informed by the latest research on youth character development, Coaching Corps trains coaches to foster persistence, optimism, self-regulation and empathy in kids, providing coaches with the ongoing support they need to ensure girls and boys in under-resourced communities learn skills that last lifetimes. Based in Oakland, California, Coaching Corps is a 501(c)(3) organization. More information about Coaching Corps can be found at www.coachingcorps.org.
Media Contact:
Lisa Lederer, Afterschool Alliance – 202-371-1999
Lauren Carey, Coaching Corps – 510-496-5134
