Johnson & Papaleo Youth Academy
The impact of CFY’s support extends beyond just the game. Thanks to their contribution, we were able to organize events that brought the community together. CFY support has helped the kids develop both their athletic and personal skills, giving them opportunities they might not have had otherwise. Thanks for recognizing youth sports programs.
Clearwater For Youth is an amazing organization! With their support so many local youth programs are able to provide better opportunities to our community. Dunedin Little League is so happy for our partnership with CFY! They are helping us make the future brighter!
As the Founder/President of St. Pete Gators Youth Sports I was introduced to Clearwater For Youth by Mark Ferguson and this has truly been a blessing to us. In doing my research I learned that CFYI has provided help to countless of 50c3 organizations and I know for a fact that the Gators would have been in trouble if CFYI would not have sponsored us. We(St. Pete Gators) would like to say thank you to CFYI for being apart of the Gators family.
As a member of Clearwater Little League, I can truly say that Clearwater For Youth (CFY) has gone above and beyond in ensuring that no child is turned away from the opportunity to play sports due to financial constraints. Their unwavering commitment to providing scholarships, grants, and matching fund opportunities has empowered countless young athletes in our community. CFY truly embodies the philosophy of building character through sports, allowing children from all walks of life to grow, learn, and compete together. Their support continues to elevate youth sports in Clearwater, and we are grateful for their impact.
CFY has been helping the Bombers ever since I took over as president 7 years ago. Between the travel assistance grants, scholarships, and equipment grants CFY has contributed over $150,000 to our group. Without their help we wouldnt be where we are today. Our organization has even partnered with CFY to give scholarships to high school seniors. Everyone in CFY is a pleasure to work with and they all have deep roots within our community.
CFY has reached out to our Organization (Childs Park Rattlers Youth Athletics). I was introduced to staff member (Eric Harris) he shared with CFY mission and how this program was invested in supporting youth in programs like ours (Youth Football & cheerleading . He allowed me to share with him a unique history of “The Rattlers) and I shared our commitment to this community the youth & their families. We discussed the barriers the youth & their families face daily in this highly marginalized community. We discussed the importance of leveraging the playing field by removing the financial constraints to that prevent the kids from becoming participants in the program. Mr. Harris eased my anxiety as I became very emotional about our 30 year anniversary serving the youth & their families & how the impact on the youth, parents & our organization we try to remove the financial barriers and our continued commitment to find opportunities and sponsors to partner with us to accomplish this goal. I’m happy to announce that within 3-4 weeks we had access to an application for funding to remove the registration cost to the families of the youth in title (4) schools. This was huge! We were able to remove this financial barrier and over 60% of the families took advantage of blessing and were able to enroll their kids in the program. The Remaining 40% benefited as well as our Board was committed to ensuring percent of the students that walked through our gates and their parents expressed their desire for their kids to play. We introduced payment plans, runs raisers and continued to work with CFY and their caring, community program that opened up other funding opportunities that we could apply and utilize to minimize, remove and aid the youth & their families outside of the program needs. The kids (5) were entered into a an contest to possibly win a $250 shopping spree at Academy Sports & Outdoor. Not only our organization but other programs like ours also entered their kids. I want you to know all (5) of the kids in the program were chosen, no kid was left out. They were so happy! These are children that otherwise could not, could not due to financial burdens experience this blessing. I stood their with my heart about to burst out of my chest, fighting back tears of joy from seeing how CFY & Academy Sports were committed to enriching youth lives. Myself, our President Patricia Hampton, The entire Executive Board of The Child Park Rattlers and the families we serve in our program are so grateful for the support CFY has extended and the opportunity to continue working to improve the quality of the lives in this community (Childs Park) and other youth programs in Pinellas County. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (Ms. Ruthie)Vice President on Behalf of Childs Park Youth Athletics. Happy 30th year anniversary to the program and all the volunteers & parents that entrust to provide a system of support to your kids. Thanks again & again CFY.
We are fortunate to have lucked up on a awesome local non-profit organization that is focused on the betterment of our youth in our community. CFY's partnership has allowed us to be able to supply equipment and uniforms for kids at the Jr. Spongers Football and Cheer Program. We are appreciative for their support year after year.
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CFY has helped NPP keep our program affordable, provided funds for equipment to keep the athletes safe, and allowed us to help those that might not otherwise be able to participate.
Check out CFY to see how you can get involved in supporting the youth of Pinellas County and surrounding areas!
Thank you for your continued support, CFY!
Where to start.. I guess at the beginning, we have been impacted since 2010 with the CFY filling in gaps in our basketball program where kids had 0 support from home financially. Don’t know where we’d be without them. The support is ongoing and priceless.. Thanks CFY for years and years of support!
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CBC/TUP is very grateful and proud to have been partnering with CFY since 2009. Our organization would not be where it is today without the constant support from CFY. Several of our players have received college scholarships and more than one hundred players have received scholarships to cover the cost of their uniform and registration fees. This past July, CFY graciously helped cover the cost for our high school teams to travel out of state to play in NCAA live period exposures events. These players had the opportunity to play in front of hundreds of college coaches in hopes to earn interest & college scholarships in which many did.
Not only do they help the children but they also help the coaches/volunteers to further their coaching, mentoring & leadership skills by awarding scholarships that help pay for them to attend coaching clinics.
CFY is dedicated to helping the community, they have been a huge blessing to our families, players and coaches for many years.
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I have personally seen the impact CFY has made on the lives of children in our community. CFY is changing lives through grants, travel assistance and college scholarships. They have expanded their ability to help more and more children over the past couple years with hard work and a commitment to excellence.
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As the president of the Clearwater Bullets Fastpitch organization, we have benefitted fist hand from the work done by Clearwater for Youth. Last summer we had three teams qualify for the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup and a travel grant was awarded by Clearwater for Youth which assisted our families with travel expenses. We have also had several of our girls receive college scholarships that were provided by Clearwater for Youth. This is a well-run organization that had made a tremendous impact in our organization.
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Just an amazing foundation that has been helping out our youth for years. I am always impressed with the events they put on for the kids and their dedication to this community.
Thanks for everything you have CFY.
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CFY puts kids and their families first! They have such a strong passion for helping people reach their dreams.
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CFY is so generous with time, energy and financial support. Their passion for the mission is contagious!
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CFY is a great organization. They are all working so hard to help impact all of the youth in Pinellas County. We are all so grateful to having this organization representing our community.
CFY is outstanding ! They go above and beyond for the youth in so many communities. There are not enough words to express the impact they have in our youth programs. An amazing team of individuals really out there changing lives, everyday.
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Above and beyond. The community has nothing else like this, 100% for the children. The values and life lessons that children gain from being involved in youth sports, arts and culture is crucial to aid in forming better adults. And no child should be turned away because of Finacial reasons. CFY continues to shine in the community extending their reach to serve, with a great staff and passionate board.
Clearwater for Youth is a great charity I have worked with for many years. They are well known in the community and have helped many excel and further their education. I can see donations being put to good use!
I was introduced to CFY from my boss, as she is a part of their leadership team. Giving back to the local youth is something she is very passionate about, and it has trickled down to all of us! I had the chance to help with the 3 Bridge Race and it was a gratifying experience. The youth is our future and this organization is giving deserving kids a chance who may not have had one otherwise!
Clearwater For Youth has been a pillar in the community. It has provided opportunities for young children to participate in local sports. CFY will continue to thrive and achieve its mission while upholding its first class reputation. Job well done.
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We have been a proud partner with CFY for many years, they give back so much to the local youth programs in Pinellas County its truly amazing to see the difference they are making in young peoples lives!
Clearwater for Youth suggested a partnership with the Pinellas Sheriff's PAL to start up our Boxing program after covid. Through our partnership young men and women are learning boxing techniques, nutrition, improving their health, improved behavior and we are monitoring our participants grades. Clearwater for Youth keeps their eye on their mission, helping kids play sports so that they can learn the life lessons of teamwork, dedication and obtaining goals. A great community organization.
This nonprofit is life changing for many of young people in our community. Their programs support mental and physical growth with outstanding opportunities that encourage success.
Thank you to all the members of CFY. Your generosity through the grant program has made it possible for our new organization, Pinellas County Warriors, to assist many under privileged children in football and cheer; whom otherwise may be on the streets doing negative things.
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CFY has been a huge part of my life. I played for CFY in the early 70's and then became a Board Member over 20 year ago. I have personally seen the impact that the organization has had on the youth of Pinellas County from financial assistance for registration fees, swim lessons, equipment, and academic scholarships . CFY's motto is truly "no child shall be left behind due to financial constraints".
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I have been involved with CFY for over 25 yrs and have seen the tremendous work the organization does in the community continue to increase via aggressive outreach to expand our footprint of helping as many youth organizations as possible.
We live by our motto that “no child shall be left behind due to financial constraints “ and are extremely proud of the number of young people that have been assisted through our multiple community partnerships.
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My experience with this group is that it is made up of people who really care about the community. They not only are an asset by supporting youth activities in the county, they actively seek groups in need.
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CFY has been an important part of my family for many years. Their ability to provide so many opportunities to young people in our area is a model that many would love to emulate.
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CFY has provided access to funds for our OST Youth Track Program. They've been very helpful and the children enjoy what we've been able to provide to them and it's all thanks to CFY's generocity.
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I have known this organization for 20+ years and they do great work always serving the needs of our youth in this community allowing all to have a chance to participate in recreational activities.
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I grew up in Clearwater and played PAL football as an 12 and 13 year old. After graduating from college and working a couple of years out of state, I came back to Clearwater got involved with CFY through Fred Fisher in the early 80’s. Fred had a gymnastics group that needed a space and our school could provide it. I have been involved in CFY from that day forward. CFY has been a blessing for the Clearwater community. Trip Weaver CFY board member.
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Being a member of the Clearwater for Youth board is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. CFY is an Organization that is fully endowed and we donate back 100% of what we raise from our amazing community. We ensure that no child is left behind and all that want to participate in sports are able to! learning life lessons on and off the field helps build a better community for tomorrow. As an Olympic athlete I can tell you much of my career successes were due to my positive youth sports environment, and CFY is building those positive environments in our Community.
Michele Smith
2x Olympic Gold Medalist
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Through youth athletics, fundraising, and as a board member I have been involved with CFY nearly my entire life. I am proud to say that the foundation’s endowment now covers 100% of staff salaries and that every dollar raised goes directly toward building character through youth sports and arts programming. Our organization reaches over 8,000 youth annually with financial assistance for registration fees, equipment, safety training, swim lessons, fine arts, and academic scholarships so that no child is ever left behind.
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Serving as a Board Member for Clearwater For Youth has been extremely rewarding. 100% of the donations received/money raised goes directly to the youth of our community and their programs. This organization is fiscally responsible and a real asset to our community. I am proud to be a part of something so special.
Dawn Daugherty
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Clearwater Gas System has been a sponsor of Clearwater for Youth for many years. This is a great program to make athletic programs available to our youth in the upper Pinellas County communities. CFY helps to make these programs affordable for our youth & supports a number of annual scholarships. A great community partnership!
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I have been involved with CFY for over 25 years and have seen first hand the impact this organization has in supporting underprivileged youth. The motto "No Child Left Behind" resonates throughout the many programs they support. Throughout the year, there are children playing youth sports who would not be able to if it was not for CFY paying the registration fees or providing necessary program support.
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As a former board member and with 30 + years of expertise in the field of youth athletics, the work that CFY is doing in the community to support other organizations is amazing. To open access to all children regardless of economics in Pinellas County by supporting over 8000 youth is trending setting. CFY has an endowment that covers all operating cost so 100% of the funds raised each year are invested back into the youth of the community. One example below of recent impact in the community. A great way to invest in our future!
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Not sure I would want to donate to an organization where 21% of its gross revenue ($356,871) goes to pay the salary ($74,057) of its one paid employee. Salary of its one paid employee should probaly be no higher than 15% of its gross revenue, around $53,500. My local United Way had gross revenues of over $23,000,000, if they paid there ED 21% ($4,830,000) of its gross revenue there would be a huge problem. This organization may want to rethink it's compensation process.
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