Serve the Future AZ Teams Up with ChildFirst to Help Protect Young Athletes from Abuse

Local Phoenix Nonprofits Unite to Champion Child Safety in Sports.

PHOENIX (April 21, 2025) – Serve the Future AZ, a nonprofit committed to empowering underserved youth through the sport of tennis, is teaming up with the Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes abuse prevention program and the Courage First Athlete Helpline, a national call/text/chat service supporting mental well-being and abuse prevention.

This collaboration brings vital resources to the Phoenix community, addressing a growing need for awareness and protection within youth sports. Developed by the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline and the Foundation for Global Sports Development, the Courage First Athlete Helpline is the only program of its kind in the country—designed to support athletes, parents, coaches, and sports communities across the U.S. and Canada.

Alarming statistics highlight the urgency: 37% of athletes report experiencing at least one form of physical abuse during childhood in sport, while 14% to 29% report being victims of sexual violence before the age of 18.

“Partnering with Serve the Future allows us to directly engage coaches and students about the warning signs of abuse and neglect in youth sports,” said Cathy Beach, Program Manager with the Athlete Helpline. “Local organizations like Serve the Future are essential in challenging sports culture and driving real change to protect young athletes.”

Leslie Banks, Founder and Executive Director of Serve the Future, emphasized the importance of this work: “Ninety-five percent of the youth we serve are from minority backgrounds, and over a third live at or below the poverty line. Many of our kids face instability every day. That’s why we’re so focused on building confidence, perseverance, and responsibility through tennis.”

The partnership will take center stage at the upcoming Serve the Future Triples Tournament, happening May 18 at the Phoenix Country Club. Onsite facilitators from both organizations will be available, offering engaging content and vital information aimed at empowering coaches, parents, and students to make mental health and safety a top priority in youth athletics.

About Serve the Future AZ

Serve The Future AZ is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its core mission is to positively impact youth from underserved communities. Building self-confidence, perseverance and responsibility through the game of tennis. By providing positive opportunities to learn and grow through the sport of tennis they develop a healthier lifestyle which impacts their family, peers and community. Consistency and repetition through a yearlong tennis academy complemented by transformative and engaging programs is the path to achieving change. By specifically choosing youth from the Elementary, Middle and High School Districts within the Phoenix Union, the organization hopes to alleviate some of the disparities noted above. The pandemic has exacerbated this well-documented academic and social gulf among school districts. Serve the Future AZ wants to contribute to the solution by giving these youth healthy and positive opportunities and environments on and off the tennis court. Learn more at servethefuture.org.

About Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe for Athletes: 

Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe (SUBS) for Athletes aims to raise awareness about the widespread yet often overlooked issue of athlete abuse. This new curriculum promotes the physical and emotional safety of young athletes by equipping them with the tools needed to recognize, prevent, and seek help from athlete mistreatment. The education helps young athletes and their safe adults learn to find their voices, connect with resources, and pursue their sports safely.

About Courage First Athlete Helpline:

The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a national, no-cost call, text, and chat service for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone in sports communities who has questions or concerns about abuse or mental well-being in athletics. Open Mon-Fri from 12-8pm PST, their specialized counselors can provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and concrete resources for help-seekers of all ages and levels. Call or text 888-279-1026 and chat at www.athletehelpline.org.