All children deserve the right to play in a healthy environment to grow.

The Peter Cooper Dual Language Academy is a K-8 elementary school located in Pilsen, on the lower west side of Chicago. Cooper is a vibrant school rooted in a strong, working-class, majority-immigrant community whose rich history in Pilsen is dignified by the colorful mosaic on its outer walls. But inside, it is also a community that is deeply underfunded (more than twice the Illinois low-income threshold).

Having met Mrs. Torres (Cooper's unwavering and dedicated principal) at a service day, it became clear that the need is as great as change is possible.

9 out of 10 students are economically disadvantaged, and rising costs have pushed opportunities like youth sports even further out of reach for many families.

Knowing that youth sports have a foundational impact on childhood development, it hurt us to find out there has never been a sports team in the school’s history. We know this truth firsthand; some of our early lives’ greatest mentors have been coaches, and some of our greatest childhood memories are on a field or on the court. And for a school community that already faces so many barriers, the lack of access to these after-school programs has left a real gap in students’ daily lives and personal well-being. In fact, kids from lower-income homes are 3x as likely to be physically inactive, which of course brings a whole host of other health problems.

We aim to change that.

Support from this fundraiser will help launch 7 of the Cooper Jaguars' first-ever sports teams, bringing volleyball (3 teams) and soccer (4 teams) to both the boys and girls of the community. Donations will go directly toward new equipment, meals and snacks for teams, volunteer coach support (CPS registration fees), and other supplemental costs (such as uniforms) down the road. Access to cleats, pads, and goals is specifically on the priority list for using funds. Outside of donations, we also have a significant need for volunteer coaches, serving firsthand alongside the community and other volunteers. Grab a friend and sign up to serve today!

These resources and services will help open doors to healthier routines, stronger academics, teamwork, confidence, and deeper community connection. Working alongside Principal Torres, our focus is to make sure funds are directed where they are needed most, sharing step by step the impact of your support transparently. Please consider helping Peter Cooper students make history.

Every donation, share, and show of support will make a direct difference in the lives of these children and families. With the fall season starting soon, this cause is an opportunity to give, serve, or provide toward a meaningful purpose. Simply put, this is an intimate project with real stakes and a real impact, supporting the well-being of real kids; and your support will really change lives.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of their story.