A new local nonprofit is collecting sports equipment, supporting league fees and launching coaching workshops to help remove financial barriers for young athletes.
For many families, the cost of youth sports begins before a child ever steps onto a field, court or mat. Cleats, gloves, pads, uniforms, registration fees and coaching can quickly turn a season of play into a financial strain.
Gear it Forward founder, Yvonne Garcia.
Gear It Forward, Inc., a Coachella Valley nonprofit founded by Yvonne Garcia, is trying to change that.
The organization collects and redistributes new and gently used sports equipment to local children whose families may struggle to cover participation costs. What began as a word-of-mouth and social media effort soon grew into bins filled with usable gear and a broader mission: making sure more children have a fair chance to play.
Garcia said the idea came partly from watching her own son benefit from sports while quickly outgrowing the gear that came with it. Rather than let usable equipment go unused, she saw an opportunity to put it in another child’s hands.
“We may have a future superstar in our community, who knows?” Garcia said. “Let’s give all our kids a chance to reach their potential.”
Gear It Forward now aims to serve students from kindergarten through high school. Its work includes equipment donation, help with league fees and access to skills workshops with one-on-one coaching support.
The nonprofit’s next phase received a boost from the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose support is helping Gear It Forward expand workshops across 10 sports: basketball, soccer, baseball, football, volleyball, tennis, softball, martial arts, wrestling and golf.
A recent effort by the organization rallied numerous baseball bats that local kids will put to use back on the fields.
Garcia said the support reflects the role community partners can play in youth wellness, confidence and opportunity across the Valley.
For parents, the impact can be immediate. A donated bat, a pair of cleats or a covered registration fee can mean the difference between sitting out and joining a team. For children, the benefit can extend beyond the scoreboard.
Sports can teach cooperation, discipline and resilience. They can help young people make friends, stay active and build confidence at an age when belonging matters.
Gear It Forward is seeking additional partners as it works to reach more families and outfit more young athletes throughout Greater Palm Springs.
More information is available at gearitforward.org or by calling (619) 977-7862.
