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Dance & Cheer
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping develop healthy bodies and healthy minds of marginalized boys and girls (ages 3-18)
Our Youth Athletes Need You
Youth ages 6-18 from low-income homes quit sports because of the financial costs at six times the rate of kids from high-income homes, according to a national survey of parents by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative and Utah State University’s Families in Sport Lab.
The average child spends less than three years playing a sport and quits by age 11.
Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the U.S., and today, the country has some of the highest obesity rates in the world: 1 out of 6 children is obese, and 1 out of 3 children is overweight or obese.
* From the years 2017 to 2022, the percentage of obesity increased with age:
* The percentage prevalence of obesity among different races varied between children ages two to 19 years from 2017 to 2020:
Population | Income & Poverty |
Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 | $34,762 |
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 | $20,780 |
Persons in poverty, percent | 31.8% |
The poverty rate in Detroit, Michigan is 148.44% higher than the US average. In Detroit, Michigan, an estimated 31.8% of 635,212 people live in poverty. In the United States, 12.8% of 324,173,084 people live in poverty.
Fewer African-American children play sports than White children, who in turn have greater access to the benefits of sports. That includes physical activity, which plays a role in obesity and disease prevention.
The survey showed that the three most expensive sports to play for all youth are ice hockey, field hockey, and skiing/snowboarding.
Fewer than 2% of African-American children participate in those sports.
59% of families experience financial strain from their children’s sports, according to a recent survey from financial services company LendingTree.
While 48% of families with kids participating in sports say they will find a way to make it work, 11% plan to take on debt.
Family income shapes the sports that youth play.
Children from high-income homes were at least twice as likely to play field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis, or to participate in skiing/snowboarding than kids in low-income homes. Children from low-income homes were more likely to play tackle football and basketball.
While most sports remain relatively accessible, it is evident that certain sports are easier for low-income youth to engage in while others are more aligned with high-income families,”
Income disparity in youth athletics has effects on health and success that stretch far into adulthood.
"I`ve watched talented children quit when they don’t have cleats to practice or when registration money is due..."
"I`m all about our community and I care about our youth's mental and physical health..."
