Southside Youth Development

Our Story

For over a decade, The Howard School’s baseball field lay dormant and neglected. In 2016, a group of determined students approached Coach Jon Johnson with a vision to restore their school’s baseball field. After 13 months of hard work and community support, the field was revitalized, and the baseball team was reborn. This journey instilled values of perseverance, initiative, and integrity in the students, guided by dedicated mentors. Southside Youth Development (SYD) emerged from this success, aiming to deepen its impact at The Howard School and replicate it in other communities. SYD believes in the transformative power of youth engagement through sports, fostering mentorship and character development opportunities.

Our Impact

In the summer of 2021, SYD reconditioned the main baseball field at the Emma Wheeler Homes community, investing time and resources to elevate it to high-school level playing conditions. This revitalization had not been seen in years, allowing for 108 hours of mentorship and baseball education per child throughout the summer. In 2022, SYD expanded its offerings by hosting both summer and fall leagues, thanks to the efforts of newly hired program coordinator, Josh Harvey, who is dedicated to enhancing community engagement.

Why Donate?

Your contributions empower youth to become better students, friends, and community members through the sport of baseball.

Get Involved!

Join the mission to transform lives through sports. Donate cryptocurrency or cash today to support SYD’s initiatives and help shape the future of our youth!