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.