Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative Secures Grant to Advance Youth Sports as a Tool for Safer Communities
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 3, 2025) – The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC) has received a grant from the Office of Public Safety to leverage youth sports as a tool for building safer, thriving communities. This initiative aligns with Mayor Cherelle Parker’s vision to empower young people, disrupt cycles of violence and promote community well-being through collaboration.
Youth sports have long been a transformative force in Philadelphia, fostering leadership, inspiration and a sense of belonging for tens of thousands of children each year. Through this grant, PYSC will develop recommendations on how sports can create safe, supportive spaces for empowerment and healing, ensuring all youth, especially those in underserved communities, have access to its benefits.
“We know youth sports have the unique ability to create safe spaces, build strong relationships and inspire young people to reach their full potential,” said Dontae Privette, PYSC’s director of community engagement. “This grant allows us to deepen partnerships with community organizations, expand opportunities for youth and ensure every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.”
The funding will enable PYSC to convene sport-specific groups — including soccer, football, basketball and baseball — where providers will share best practices to better support youth and families. PYSC will also offer trauma-informed coach training, healing-centered strategies and conflict resolution tools to better equip providers working in neighborhoods most affected by systemic inequities.
“This grant is a powerful opportunity to unite Philadelphia’s youth sports ecosystem in a shared effort to build stronger, safer communities,” Privette said. “By investing in the potential of our young people and the power of sports, we are ensuring a pathway to resilience, hope and opportunity for every child in Philadelphia.”
For more information about this release, or PYSC, please contact Steven Giannino-Malatesta at Sgiannino@pysc.org
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About Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC)
The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC) unites more than 110 organizations delivering sports-based youth development programs to over 100,000 children annually. PYSC fosters equitable access and inclusion, ensuring every child can experience the transformative power of sports.
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Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative to Host PYSC Summit: Sports and Mental Health at Lincoln Financial Field
PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 2, 2024) – The Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC) will host the 2024 PYSC Summit: Sports and Mental Health on Nov. 19, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field. The event will bring together athletes, experts, and practitioners to address the critical intersection of sports and mental health.
The Summit will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring conversations with a dynamic group of speakers:
Jameer Nelson, former NBA All-Star and current general manager of the Delaware Blue Coats.
Sinead Farrelly, former professional soccer player and outspoken advocate for athletes’ rights.
Ariana Ramsey, USA Rugby 7s National Team player and 2024 Olympic medalist.
Chris Therien, former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, author and current podcast host.
Attendees will also hear from an NFL panel featuring Dominique Curry and Tim Massaquoi, discussing the specific mental health challenges faced by football players.
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., a series of practitioner workshops will provide hands-on sessions designed to equip attendees with tools and strategies to support mental health in youth sports. The summit is honored to welcome representatives from all five major Philadelphia professional sports teams, making this event truly special. This level of collaboration underscores Philly’s commitment to advancing youth sports and mental health.
Beth Devine, executive director of PYSC, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event. “We are excited to bring experts, athletes, and coaches together for a meaningful discussion on this important topic. At PYSC, we know that sports support not just physical health, but mental and emotional health for young people. So we are proud to lead this conversation and continue working to improve out-comes for youth through sports,” Devine said.
Media requests should be directed to Steven Giannino-Malatesta at sgiannino@pysc.org.
For more information about registration, visit www.pyscsummit.com.
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About the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (PYSC)
PYSC is committed to ensuring that every child in Philadelphia has access to quality sports
programs that contribute to their overall development. Through partnerships and initiatives like the
PYSC Summit, the organization continues to advocate for youth sports as a critical
component of the city’s future.
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PYSC Partners with Parks and Rec for Citywide Swimwear Drive
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative are leading a citywide campaign to collect and distribute new swimwear and swim accessories for Philly’s youth. Our public pools will open soon, and we want to ensure our kids are suited up for the summer.
This summer, Parks & Rec, in partnership with Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative is collecting new swimwear and swim accessories at six sites. All donated bathing suits and accessories will be distributed to children at the City’s outdoor pools.