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Empowering Youth Through Movement & Mentorship

Empowering Youth Through Movement and Mentorship

Young people today face overwhelming stress, pressure, and responsibilities — often without support. At Using Athletics to Cope, youth ages 12 to 18 build confidence, emotional strength, and healthy coping skills through movement, mentorship, and consistent guidance.


Who We Serve

We support youth who are:

  • Navigating stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm
  • Facing poverty, instability, or trauma
  • In need of structure, guidance, and safe connection
  • Drawn to movement, sports, or team activities
  • Seeking positive alternatives to system involvement
     

What They Experience

Every young person who enters our program joins a safe, inclusive, community-driven environment where they grow socially, emotionally, and physically. Youth feel seen, supported, and connected — and they learn coping strategies, confidence, and resilience that carry into every part of their lives.

See How Our Program Works

Healing With Heart

SPORTS WITH PURPOSE

SPORTS WITH PURPOSE

SPORTS WITH PURPOSE

We mix movement and mentorship so teens build confidence, cope with stress, and actually enjoy the process.

CONNECT

SPORTS WITH PURPOSE

SPORTS WITH PURPOSE

We reach youth ages 12–18 in underserved communities across Kingsport and East Tennessee. Our focus is on young people facing poverty, instability, mental health challenges, or justice involvement. Through sports, mentorship, and life skills education, we provide positive coping strategies and opportunities for growth.

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

Trusted adults guide youth through sports, life skills, and mental health tools, while also building confidence, resilience, and positive coping strategies. With consistent mentorship and structured support, young people gain the skills they need to thrive in school, relationships, and their community.

THRIVE

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP

Youth build resilience, leadership, and confidence for their future, while also gaining healthy coping skills, teamwork experience, and the guidance of mentors who help them navigate life’s challenges and thrive.

Why Movement Matters

When young people move, something shifts.
Stress drops. Confidence rises.
Their bodies regulate. Their minds open.
They start believing in themselves again.


  • Each extra active hour cuts future mental health risk by 12%
  • Inactive kids are about twice as likely to have mental health problems
  • Sports slash depression and withdrawal-type symptoms

Explore Our Programs

Real Stories. Real Impact.

“My child finally has a place where they feel seen and supported. UAC is changing their confidence week by week.”

-UAC Parent

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"My son actually talks about his mentor to his friends and for a teenage boy, that says everything. You can tell he truly looks up to him."

-UAC Parent

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"Before UAC I used to get mad fast. Now I know how to calm down and actually think before I react. My mentor really listens to me, and that’s something I never had before."

-UAC Youth

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“I used to feel like nobody understood what I was going through. At UAC I feel seen. I get to play sports, talk about stuff, and not feel judged. It helps me believe I can actually do something with my life.”

-UAC Youth

Enroll Your Teen Today

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