**All gifts will be matched by an anonymous donor up to $20,000**

The average young person in the heart of Knoxville does not have environments where they can safely play and exercise outside. They don't have equitable access to sports due to financial and transportation barriers. Because of this, there are disproportionately high obesity rates for inner-city youth compared to their suburban peers.

Emerald Youth Sports is changing this reality by ensuring that every child has access to affordable, quality, and competitive sports opportunities including soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, trail running, swimming, wrestling, performance training, baseball, softball, and flag football.

Emerald Youth uses sports to combat obesity rates, teach life skills like teamwork, provide a safe place for kids to be kids and play, and create discipleship opportunities.

The Red Cross reports that nearly 80 percent of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have few-to-no swimming skills. We are combating this alarming reality by providing free swim lessons to every child in our JustLead program, almost 500 annually.

Join us in prayer throughout the Rise Up Campaign by downloading this prayer guide.