Our Street Team rolled out at Stepping Beyond Sports, a career readiness event run by Follow My Steps Foundation Inc., at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, March 20. This event came to Springfield, Mass., with key timing, as the Hall also welcomed the boys and girls Western Mass. Senior All-Star Games the same weekend. Sixty of the region’s top seniors were called from all divisions to participate in one final contest to close out their careers, and award winners were chosen and recognized throughout playtime.
Follow My Steps was founded after evaluating the pipeline of success for individuals in under-resourced communities. The organization’s founders grew up in underprivileged communities, so they recognized that more could be and needed to be done for youths to help them achieve their goals. The mission? To provide students with key career skills and enhance their financial literacy to ensure professional and academic success.
“Most youth who make it to the Western Mass All-Star game have dreams of going pro someday,” said Anthony J. Payne, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Follow My Steps Foundation, Inc. “Stepping Beyond Sports is all about exposing youth in our community to a wide range of career paths, extending beyond professional sports. This career readiness program aims to meet youth where they are and make planning for their futures fun. It's truly inspiring to see the impact we can have when the community comes together with a shared goal of empowering the next generation of leaders.”
Mentorships take many forms at Follow My Steps; the Pioneering program partners students with vetted role models, seminars and support teams pair students with internships and apprenticeships, classes teach financial skills and scholarships are readily available to those in need.
Stepping Beyond Sports is a career exposure and mentorship event that helps student-athletes experience real pathways beyond the game, connecting them with employers, colleges, trade programs and community leaders.
The event features rows upon rows of vendor tables, including our Hooplandia Street Team led by Anthony Ardolino, and takes place at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Western New England University and other local sports centers and educational institutions. Vendors offer internships, professional advice, opportunities to continue in athletics and more.
“Sports can be transformative in countless ways,” said Hooplandia General Manager, Drew Dawson. “Our Hooplandia Street Team was grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Follow My Steps Foundation and their Stepping Beyond Sports program. This took place amidst the height of the annual Western Mass. Senior All-Star Games at the Hall of Fame, which was especially awesome."
This is a high-visibility opportunity for athletics affiliated and adjacent brands to engage directly with rising star athletes and their families. Employers, colleges, trade programs, entrepreneurs and community organizations are invited to showcase what they do, share resources and otherwise spark interest in young minds.
Our Hooplandia team extends thanks to Anthony J. Payne and Kashawn Sanders, President and CEO of Follow My Steps Foundation Inc., for their continuous support—not just for our tourney, but all that they do for youths in Greater Springfield.
Interested in tabling or attending in the future? Find all you need to know to ensure that next time you go at FollowMySteps.org/SteppingBeyondSports.