Who We Are
Youth To Society Sports is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) based in Arlington, VA, and recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion. We are committed to improving youth sports and promoting positive mental health through sports.
Our vision is to eliminate the mental health crisis by equipping the next generation with positive mental health skills, tools, and strategies to navigate life’s challenges. By empowering a generation that values and prioritizes healthy habits of the mind, we can address many issues in today’s society.
Who We Are
Youth To Society Sports is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) based in Arlington, VA, and recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion. We are committed to improving youth sports and promoting positive mental health through sports.
Our vision is to eliminate the mental health crisis by equipping the next generation with positive mental health skills, tools, and strategies to navigate life’s challenges. By empowering a generation that values and prioritizes healthy habits of the mind, we can address many issues in today’s society.
Our Why
The Mental Health Crisis
America is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. Over the past decade, youth mental health has been on a steady decline, with alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Unfortunately, most mental health services take a reactive approach—waiting until a child is in crisis before offering help. But by then, it can be too late.
We see the effects in the headlines every day—another school shooting, another overdose, another young life lost to suicide.
Schools focus on academics. Sports focus on athletic skills. Church is for religion. But what programs specifically teach life skills, emotional intelligence, confidence, altruism, character, and community? Many argue these lessons should come from parents, but parenting comes with its own set of daily demands, and often, children are more receptive to advice from outside influences—peers, coaches, and role models they admire
Rise In Competitive Sports
Many believe that playing team sports automatically builds character and teaches essential life skills. While sports can be an incredible tool for personal growth, the youth sports landscape has dramatically changed.
Youth sports have shifted from recreational play to high-pressure, performance-based training. The emphasis on sports specialization has made sports less about fun and more about competition causing 70% of kids quit sports by the age of 13.
Our Why
The Mental Health Crisis
America is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. Over the past decade, youth mental health has been on a steady decline, with alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Unfortunately, most mental health services take a reactive approach—But by then, it can be too late. We see the effects in the headlines every day—another school shooting, another overdose, another young life lost to suicide.
Schools focus on academics. Sports focus on athletic skills. Church is for religion. But what programs specifically teach life skills, emotional intelligence, and skills to help the transition to adulthood? Many argue these lessons should come from parents, but parenting comes with its own set of daily demands.
Rise In Competitive Sports
Many believe that playing team sports automatically builds character and teaches essential life skills. While sports can be an incredible tool for personal growth, the youth sports landscape has dramatically changed.
Youth sports have shifted from recreational play to high-pressure, performance-based training. The emphasis on sports specialization has made sports less about fun and more about competition causing 70% of kids quit sports by the age of 13.
Our Solution
Innovative Youth League
We bring a new concept league that shifts the focus from competition to personal growth and character development. Our program uses sports and community service as tools to teach essential inner life skills—confidence, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and leadership. Instead of competing against others, our athletes focus on competing with who they were yesterday, fostering a mindset of continuous self-improvement.
Pressure Free Outlet
We provide a stress and pressure free environment where kids can play sports for fun. Our non-competitive youth league uses sports as a fun and engaging way to keep kids active, connected, and invested in their mental well-being.
It offers competitive athletes a chance to play purely for enjoyment, free from external pressures and expectations. For non-athletes, it allows them to join a program without worrying about being the best and as a way to stay active, build confidence, and engage socially in a supportive environment.
Our Solution
Innovative Youth League
We bring a new concept league that shifts the focus from competition to personal growth and character development. Our program uses sports and community service as tools to teach essential inner life skills—confidence, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and leadership. Instead of competing against others, our athletes focus on competing with who they were yesterday, fostering a mindset of continuous self-improvement.
Pressure Free Outlet
We provide a stress and pressure free environment where kids can play sports for fun. Our non-competitive youth league uses sports as a fun and engaging way to keep kids active, connected, and invested in their mental well-being.
It offers competitive athletes a chance to play purely for enjoyment, free from external pressures and expectations. For non-athletes, it allows them to join a program without worrying about being the best and as a way to stay active, build confidence, and engage socially in a supportive environment.
Our Foundation
We believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, which is why we offer free enrollment to students from lower-income schools. With just a $50 donation, you can sponsor a child and an investor of change.
Fun
Our top priority is to make our program fun the players of Y2S Sports . At the end of each season, there's an opportunity for players to have a say in the upcoming season to keep our program relevant and our everyone invested.
Passionate
Passion is an internal motivator. Loving what you do keeps you inspired and excited to put your best foot forward. We are always looking to collaborate with other who share a similar passion and is essential to fulfilling our mission and vision.
Inclusive
Our curriculum prioritizes an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of their differences.
Non Competitive
Competition is where one person can succeed only when others fail, which contradicts our goals. Y2S Sports players only compete with who they were yesterday
Charitable
Each season revolves around a community service project, fostering kindness, compassion, and altruism. We plan to collaborate with other youth sports organizations to host games dedicated to raising funds or awareness for a charitable cause.
Supportive
In today's world, a solid support system is crucial, especially during adolescence. Our buddy system creates teachable moments and opportunities to practice asking for support and being a supportive peer
Core Values
Mission
To equip the next generation through Social Emotional Learning and essential life skills to navigate today’s challenges and create a better world for future generations.
Vision
To be in every community nationwide and change the world within one generation.
Core Values
AUTHENTICITY: Remaining true to our values regardless of external pressures and expectations.
LOVE: To do everything from a place of love
COMMITMENT: Staying committed to our mission and vision regardless of the circumstances.
COLLABORATION: Working with all key stakeholders involved in raising the next generation
CREATIVITY: Staying innovative flexible, and thinking outside the box to stay aligned with the youth culture and create a fun environment for everyone involved.
Our Promise
Our promise is to create a fun, safe, and non-judgmental environment to build confidence, sportsmanship, and leadership skills while working in collaboration with parents and all key stakeholders
Our Founder
Jennifer Kidder
The idea for Youth to Society Sports (Y2S Sports) was born from a series of defining moments and a long-time passion of mine.
As a former pediatric nurse, I witnessed the growing crisis in youth mental health, from long waitlists for psychiatric care, zero hospital beds for kids on suicide watch, and an overwhelming need for support.
As a mom of four boys, I have experienced firsthand the increasing focus on sports specialization. What started as a way to have fun and build character, is now a source of stress for kids; throwing equipment, arguing with referees, blaming teammates, struggling with negative self-talk or crying on the pitcher’s mound. As a parent, I’ve had my fair share of these moments.
Trying to reason and help our own kids understand our point of view typically creates some form of resistance. But, when coming from someone they look up to as a peer, the message is well received.
Being a parent isn’t easy, yet it’s the most important job/responsibility we will every take on in life. I have a deep passion and a clear vision for Youth To Society Sports. While the goal is to be nationwide, Arlington will always be home.
Board Of Directors
Jennifer Kidder
Executive Director
Heather Ferguson
Board Member
Nicole Zuralow
Board Member