Southside Boxing Club Nonprofit Youth Program

Co-organized

Sarah Valentine and Matt Leyshock are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm fundraising for the Southside Boxing Club's youth nonprofit, Combat Sports for Course Correction. CSCC is a boxing and anti-bullying program run by Matt Leyshock, owner of the Southside Boxing Club. Members of the boxing program, ages 12-18, cultivate the athletic discipline, integrity, and good citizenship. The anti-bullying program helps kids ages 5-12 build courage and self-esteem by teaching them self-defense in a safe, inclusive setting.

With the rise of bullying, more parents are signing their kids up for anti-bullying classes, and the gym’s reputation is drawing in more young athletes who want to compete at the local and state level. An unofficial scholarship program since the gym's founding in 2014, CSCC became an official 501(c)(3) organization in December 2023. We're raising funds to keep the program free for these kids, who come from low- to moderate-income backgrounds. $2500 helps us cover this year’s class fees and administrative costs while we expand our fundraising efforts.

A word from Coach Matt: "Our goal is to keep as many kids as possible off the street, teaching them a skill as old as time and providing some guidance to those who may not always have access to it. If you're familiar with inner city issues, you know that it typically starts at home. We do everything we can to help take up that slack by providing guidance and mentorship centered around building their confidence, directing their energy, and just generally being there for them on tough days."

After an amazing show of support, we are doubling our goal to $5000. CSCC costs over $40k to run annually, but it has never had its own budget. Our goal in registering as a nonprofit is to develop a sustainable, scalable funding structure as the program grows to meet the city's needs. Giving is more important now than ever. We can make sure CSCC continues to thrive as a safe haven for its members.