In communities like South Whittier, access to youth sports has long depended on whether a family can afford registration fees and arrange transportation. For many working parents, both are out of reach. As a result, children have often gone without structured, safe places to play and belong.

That’s beginning to change.

When the YMCA of Greater Whittier launched an on-campus youth sports program in Fall 2024, many students were stepping onto a field for the first time.

“I asked one of the kids, ‘What’s your favorite football team?’” said Coach Gabriel. “And he said, ‘Football? What is that?’ It’s a moment I’ll never forget. A couple of hours later, that same kid was throwing the ball around, laughing, and ready to come back for the next practice.”

With support from the Ballmer Group, through the California State Alliance of YMCAs, this program was designed to remove the most common barriers to participation: cost, transportation, and access to equipment.

By partnering with local schools, the YMCA created a sustainable model that allows students to join practices right after school, directly on campus. Games are held on weekends to encourage family involvement, and all gear is provided. The result has been rapid, visible growth. What began with 240 student athletes has now more than doubled, with over 500 youth participating in just one year.

“We’ve had a lot of parents come up and say, ‘Thank you. Without this, they wouldn’t be able to play any sport,’” said Aaron, the YMCA’s Athletic Director. “Just having a place where they can be safe and play sports is really good.”

Coach Nicole sees the impact every day.

“Most of the kids have shorts and regular tennis shoes,” she said. “So families don’t have to worry about buying cleats or expensive equipment. We also pay for licensed refs. They’re getting legit referees. And we provide protective equipment, mouthpieces, shin guards, and volleyball knee pads.”

For the YMCA coaches and staff, these moments are deeply meaningful.

“When I go home at the end of the day, I know I did something positive,” said Anthony, a YMCA coordinator. “I know I impacted kids who need it.”

Families are staying involved and asking for more.

“Parents reach out all the time,” Aaron said. “‘When does this sport start? When does that one begin?’ They want their kids involved.”

The program is now a vital part of the after-school ecosystem in South Whittier, strengthening school partnerships and offering working families a consistent, high-quality option for youth development. And for many families, it is the only affordable opportunity to access sports at all.

“Youth sports revenue is on the rise, but participation is on the decline,” said Gina Lopez, Executive Director of East Whittier YMCA. “It’s becoming more and more inaccessible. I have three kids. Just signing them up cost me $700. One boy in this program has five siblings. Their bill would probably be over $1,300. There’s no way they could afford that.”

Thanks to this program, that cost barrier no longer stands in the way.

The YMCA of Greater Whittier’s South Whittier Sports Program is more than a league. It is a growing model of community-based impact, rooted in partnership, built on access, and sustained by investment. With continued support, its reach will only grow so that more kids across California get what every child deserves: a place to play and a reason to belong.

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