Movember and Laureus USA Award Grants to Five Chicago Nonprofits Championing Youth Mental Health Through Sport

From boxing and wrestling to poetry and soccer, Movember is investing in community-rooted organizations using sport to strengthen mental wellbeing and opportunity for young people on Chicago’s South and West Sides

Laureus USA’s Ben Schornack speaks at the Sport for Good Chicago Town Hall in October 2024

At a vibrant town hall held at Kennicott Park last fall, Movember and Laureus USA announced a $750,000 partnership to invest in youth mental health through sport in Chicago and New York. Today, the five Chicago-based organizations selected to receive inaugural grant funding have been announced—each one a powerful example of how sport can shape confidence, character, and connection in the lives of young people.

The grant recipients will receive multi-year funding to expand their work in Chicago neighborhoods. These organizations were chosen for their strong community ties, youth-centered models, and measurable impact on mental health and personal development.

“These five organizations are embedded in the communities they serve and are already changing lives every day,” said Tim Gnaneswaran, at Movember. “Our partnership with Laureus USA allows us to support and scale their efforts—ensuring more young people in Chicago have access to the benefits of sport, mentorship, and mental health support.”

This funding is part of Movember’s global commitment to improving youth mental health by expanding access to sport-based interventions, especially for young men and boys who reside in communities that have experienced historical divestment. It also builds on the success of Making Connections, a nationally funded program, and aligns with Laureus USA’s Sport for Good Cities model—an approach that uses community collaboration to address local challenges with sport as a unifying solution.

“The Sport for Good Chicago coalition has always believed in the power of grassroots organizations to create lasting change,” said Ben Schornack, Director of Sport for Good Chicago, Laureus USA. “These five grantees reflect the innovation, compassion, and impact that happens when communities are trusted to lead the way.”

The grantees will also receive technical support, participate in cross-city learning exchanges, and contribute to a growing network of organizations redefining what youth mental health support looks like—on and off the field.

The five grantee organizations are:

America SCORES Chicago
Inspiring youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and build strong communities, America SCORES combines soccer, poetry, and service-learning to nurture the whole child. Through its “Poet-Athlete” model, young people strengthen their minds, bodies, and voices in safe and creative spaces after school and during the summer.

The Bloc
On Chicago’s West Side, The Bloc is transforming lives through the love of boxing. By channeling the discipline and intensity of the sport, The Bloc connects young people with mentors, academic support, and leadership opportunities—all within a space built on trust and community resilience.

Lost Boyz Inc.
Founded with a mission to heal and empower, Lost Boyz uses baseball and softball to decrease violence, build emotional wellbeing, and create economic pathways for youth in South Shore and beyond. The organization is a lifeline for families seeking safety, structure, and belonging.

UCAN
With deep roots in trauma-informed care, UCAN supports young people and families through transformational interventions. Their sports-based programs are an extension of this mission—offering safe spaces where youth can heal, grow, and thrive.

Beat The Streets Chicago
Wrestling with life’s challenges—literally and figuratively—Beat the Streets coaches Chicago youth to become “Life Champions.” With wrestling as the foundation, the program builds grit, resilience, and mental strength in young people navigating adversity.