Our Story
Born from personal loss and a commitment to ensure no young person is left without support during the moments that matter most.
From Pain to Purpose
"He didn't need punishment. He needed support. He needed access to consistent, structured guidance during moments that could have changed everything. That realization shaped UAC."
Erica Warren created Using Athletics to Cope in honor of her brother—a gifted athlete with incredible potential. Despite his talent and intelligence, he did not have the consistent structure and guidance he needed during critical years of his life. At 17, he was charged as an adult. In 2018, he passed away in a house fire before ever reaching the future so many believed he would have.
As Erica processed his life, one truth became clear: he did not need punishment. He needed support. Today, UAC provides structured anger management and emotional regulation services for youth who need tools, accountability, and licensed behavioral health support.
This is not just a program. It is a commitment to ensure no young person is left without support during the moments that matter most.
Who We Are
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we support youth mental health through structured anger management and emotional regulation services. By integrating licensed behavioral health support with movement-based coping strategies, young people build resilience, self-control, and healthier responses to stress.
We envision a community where every young person has access to structured behavioral health support and practical tools for emotional regulation. By 2030, our goal is to serve 200+ youth each year, helping break cycles of instability and build resilient, self-controlled leaders prepared to succeed in school and life.
We believe access to support should never depend on income. That's why we accept insurance, serve underserved youth, and prioritize depth of impact and measurable emotional growth in every youth we serve.
Why Choose UAC
We combine licensed behavioral health services with movement-based coping strategies for a whole-person approach.
We remove financial barriers by accepting BlueCross BlueShield and BlueCare TennCare insurance.
We prioritize depth of impact and measurable emotional growth for every youth we serve.
We meet youth where they are—emotionally, behaviorally, and in real life—without judgment.
Our team includes licensed clinicians, recreational therapists, and mentor leaders with real-world experience.
Licensed. Trusted. Accountable. Using Athletics to Cope is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide mental health treatment, personal support services, and alcohol and drug abuse services. This licensure ensures we meet state standards for safety, quality, and care for the youth and families we serve.
Leadership
Over a decade of experience in mental health and youth services. Degrees in Psychology and Sociology, with Master's degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic Psychology. Former collegiate athlete and Qualified Mental Health Professional in Virginia and North Carolina.
Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Background as a Recreational Therapist in an inpatient psychiatric setting and Physical Education teacher. Brings a powerful blend of mental health expertise and athletic leadership to UAC.
B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Business Management from Radford University. Software consultant with over 20 years of experience in athletics as a player, referee, and coach. Passionate about using movement as a pathway to personal growth and community connection.
B.A. in English and B.G.S. from ETSU. Master's in Gender, Diversity & Social Justice and Master's in Psychology from Walden University. Experience spanning nonprofit leadership, addiction science, trauma response, and child welfare services in NC and TN.
Whether you're a parent, counselor, or community member—there's a way to make an impact at UAC.