Update on Bridge Lacrosse Summer Academy

We are pleased to provide an update on our recent grant award recipient, Bridge Lacrosse, and the tremendous success of their Summer Academy which we were pleased to support.

Bridge Lacrosse hosted 75 men and women ages 14 through 17 at the University of Texas – Austin campus. The Academy provided extensive lacrosse training and a menu of college readiness classes as well as nutrition and mental health forums.  The Academy focuses on supporting student athletes academically, athletically and mentally to navigate their challenges in a safe, constructive and healthy way.

A special highlight of this year’s Summer Academy was the presentation of the Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation Legacy Award.  The Award recognizes a young man for distinguishing himself in personal growth, commitment and leadership, on and off the field. 

We had the pleasure of meeting this year’s Legacy Award recipient, Omar, a high school junior, on our visit to Bridge Lacrosse earlier in the spring.  Omar has been a participant in Bridge Lacrosse for three years and his development reflects the goals and success of the Bridge Lacrosse program. 

Congratulations Omar and Bridge Lacrosse!    

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

St. Philip’s Lacrosse Program Moves Into Second Year

We are excited to provide an update on our lacrosse grant recipient, St. Philip’s who last year received a three year grant commitment to rebuild their youth lacrosse program.

We visited St. Philip’s again this past March and were thrilled to see the significant growth that their lacrosse program has gained. Their initiative to foster youth engagement through lacrosse grew from 18 participants to over 35 enthusiastic youths. Through a series of successful clinics, participants have gained the essential stick skills and a solid foundation in the fundamentals of lacrosse.

St. Philip’s was able to invest in 30 starter kits, which consisted of shoulder pads, sticks, and helmets due to the increased participation in their program. They were also able to invest in essential equipment for the field.

Central to the success of their program, Coach Kenny Hooper and Coach Lewis Flanagan, both accomplished college lacrosse players, have established two competitive lacrosse teams and conduct clinics every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at St. Philip’s for boys and girls, grades 2nd through 8th.

The growth, commitment and resilience St. Philip’s has shown in rebuilding their youth Lacrosse program is commendable. The future of lacrosse at St. Philip’s is bright, and we are pleased to play a role in making a lasting impact on their school’s athletic legacy.

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

SDM Rising Youth Athletics Foundation

Makes Investment in Lacrosse Summer Camp

We are excited to announce our “investment” in Bridge Lacrosse’s Summer Academy.

Our Foundation has awarded Bridge Lacrosse’s Summer Academy a grant of $15,000 to provide “scholarships” to high school boys to participate in this comprehensive development program.

(The girls’ side of the program is supplemented by The Kate Risley Foundation, a private family foundation).

The two main goals of Bridge’s Summer Academy are to build more confident lacrosse players and to develop their college readiness. This is spent both on the field and in the classroom, during mentoring sessions.

There are seventy high school boys and girls that will attend the Summer Academy. Athletes from Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Chicago. Most of these athletes are from low-income areas where city public schools do not offer interscholastic lacrosse. The opportunity to build their college preparedness and showcase their lacrosse skills at the camp is vital to the participants’ development.

We are excited to partner with Bridge Lacrosse and help provide the opportunity for a comprehensive overnight summer program, that many youths of lower economic situations are unable to afford. We wish Bridge Lacrosse much success with the Summer Academy and all of their year-round programs.

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

Fire Destroys Youth Group Equipment

We were made aware of a Chicago based youth organization that had sustained significant losses to its equipment and uniforms as a result of an early March fire at its Rogers Park storage container. The local Chicago news centers carried the story and friends brought the tragedy to our attention. The organization had suffered a substantial loss that threatened its survival. The High Ridge Chargers Youth Football and Cheer, Inc, has been successfully coaching and mentoring youth on the northeast side of Chicago and bordering suburbs since 1959.

The Chargers serve children ages five through fourteen with football, cheer and other school sports activities. Their coaches and staff are all volunteers, many of whom are former program participants. The dedication and commitment of the leaders and staff of the High Ridge Chargers to the young boys and girls to educate, train and inspire is truly outstanding.

There is no better way to understand the impact the High Ridge Chargers have on their community than to witness the outpouring of donations from the community including parents and former participants following the fire. Within weeks, the High Ridge Chargers raised almost $30,000 from their community consisting of largely small donations from many kind people who see the program as an important member of their community contributing positively to the lives of many young people.

The High Ridge Chargers and their community exemplify the values of youth based sports development to which our Foundation subscribes. We are pleased to announce our investment of $15,000 in the High Ridge Chargers to support their recovery and to assist in sustaining their important mission to “build champions on and off the field.” In fact, the success of the Chargers and their loss subsequently garnered support with an additional $15,000 donation from Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Congratulations to the High Ridge Chargers and their community for their resilience and commitment!!! We look forward to watching your continued success!

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

SDM Rising Youth Athletics Foundation

Makes Grant to Support Youth Football Safety

We are pleased to announce our continued support of the Southeast Dallas Youth Foundation (“SED”). This winter we were able to support the SED Wolverines (no, not “those” Wolverines) with a $10,000 grant to replace their youth football helmets. The safety and well-being of youth athletes is a priority for SDM Rising Youth Athletics Foundation. Updated football helmets play a pivotal role in players’ safety. We were thrilled that the team also wore commemorative patches recognizing SDM Rising Youth Athletics. Once again, the SED Wolverines were well represented at the American Youth Football National Championship.

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

SDM Rising Youth Athletics Foundation

Makes Grant to Support Youth Lacrosse

We are excited to announce our “investment” in St. Philips School and Community Center youth lacrosse program in Dallas, Texas. Our Foundation has committed to a multi-year grant of $20,000 a year for the next three years as St. Philips rebuilds its lacrosse program post-Covid. The lacrosse program will provide youth boys and girls with clinics, evolving into competitive teams. Our grant will initially cover equipment costs, uniforms, and facility fees. We are excited to be a part of this revitalized program with St. Philips and look forward to watching the young boys and girls have an opportunity to play a fast growing and elite sport.

St. Philips School and Community Center serves more than seven hundred children and youth through diverse athletic programs annually. They provide an unparalleled education and compatible community services through a faith-based experience, with emphasis on serving low- and moderate-income families. St. Philips School and Community Center has provided valuable resources for youth and community development for almost 40 years. Their resources help increase the quality of their community in south Dallas.

“It is vitally important to expose our youth to opportunities that both build character, enrich lives as well as create pathways for a flourishing life. This is what the sport of lacrosse does for a community that has limited modes of exposure that yield versatility and vitality. It is our delight to introduce Lacrosse in a community that has minimal access to nontraditional sports. We are looking forward to unleashing talents, character and ambitions once confined to alleyways of options to avenues of opportunity. A child can’t be what a child can’t see. Thank you, Menzies family for your telescopic impact.” Said Dr. Terry Flowers, Perot Family Headmaster

“We are proud to partner with St. Philips to rebuild their lacrosse program. Our son, Stephen, was an outstanding player and had a real passion for lacrosse. We are excited to help St. Philips provide those same opportunities to play lacrosse for youth boys and girls. St Philips track record of community leadership and youth development reflects our shared view of the importance of youth athletics. Congratulations to St. Philips School and Community Center!” said D. Stephen Menzies, Executive Director of The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562

Inaugural Grant Recipient Named

We have known Steven Barnett, CEO and founder of Southeast Dallas Youth Foundation (“SED”), for almost twenty years. SED serves youths from ages 4 to 14 years old in a lower economic community, in Dallas. Steve and his team of volunteers provide a supportive and developmental environment through youth athletics and mentorship. They offer football, track and field, cheer/dance, and basketball programs along with an after-school mentor program to help with academic studies.

The impact of SED on its youth participants is inspiring. SED is recognized as an important community resource for the development of less economically fortunate boys and girls. Many of the participants have gone on to college and enjoyed successful athletic and business careers. Some former participants are giving back to SED through coaching and mentoring while their own children now participate. The sustainability of SED is to be celebrated and is deserving of our support. We are pleased to recognize the Southeast Dallas Youth Foundation as our inaugural grantee with an award of $20,000.

“The long term success of SED has been remarkable both on and off the field. This highly successful program faces unique challenges in providing developmental opportunities in a safe environment. We’re pleased to help provide additional resources to meet those needs. Having visited a fall practice session for football and cheerleading teams, we witnessed the dedication of the many outstanding coaching volunteers and the enthusiasm, commitment, and hard work of almost 500 boys and girls in one afternoon. Remarkable!” said D. Stephen Menzies.

We were there to cheer on the Wolverines. What fun and excitement! We are delighted to support these talented and dedicated young athletes and this highly successful organization.

Congratulations to Steven Barnett, Greg Johnson, President, and the entire Southeast Dallas Youth Foundation organization! We look forward to growing our relationship with you. We are confident that Stephen and the generous contributors to The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation will feel great pride in our support of the Southeast Dallas Youth Foundation.

The Stephen D. Menzies Rising Youth Athletics Foundation is not-for-profit corporation that “invests” in programs and initiatives that promote accessible, developmental and safe, abuse-free athletics opportunities to youth who face adversity and economic challenges.

Please direct any questions or inquiries to:
Christine Cooper
E-mail: Director@sdmrisingyouthatletics.org
Website: sdmrisingyouthathletics.org
Facebook: @SDMRisingYouthAthletics
Phone: (843) 949-7562