At Athletes for Hope, we’ve always believed that every student deserves access to the kind of mentorship, movement, and mental health support that changes lives. This year, more students than ever got exactly that.
CHAMPS — AFH’s flagship in-school program connecting athletes with students across the country — just wrapped its most impactful year since launching. The growth wasn’t incremental. It was transformational.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
A year ago, CHAMPS was reaching 230,000 students monthly. Today, that number is 400,000 — and growing. Over the past year, the program expanded to 1,650 schools, a jump of 720 schools in a single year, and is now active in all 50 states and Canada. In total, CHAMPS reached more than 170,000 new students this year alone, bringing the program’s nationwide footprint to 411 CHAMPS Connections across the country.
But the numbers that matter most aren’t the reach numbers. They’re the impact numbers.
100% of teachers said they would recommend CHAMPS to a colleague. 92% said their students better understood mental health after participating. 90% said students developed strategies to manage stress and anxiety. 88% of students showed a better understanding of leadership. And 84% demonstrated increased self-awareness and emotional regulation.
These aren’t statistics. They’re students who are better equipped to navigate their lives — in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.
The Athletes Who Showed Up
CHAMPS works because athletes show up — not just as names on a screen, but as real people with real stories that students connect with.
This year, Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas joined as the newest CHAMPS Ambassador, bringing her story of perseverance and purpose to classrooms across the country. AFH also launched CHAMPS Open Gyms with Chief Wellbeing Officer Dr. Mena Mirhom — virtual sessions that brought Katie Ledecky, Alyssa Naeher, Dalton Risner, and Gabby Thomas directly to students, reaching 10,340 young people in a single year.
AFH also partnered with ESPN’s Take Back Sports campaign, uniting over 30 athletes to champion youth sports and the values that make sport worth playing.
Where CHAMPS Showed Up This Year
Growth this year wasn’t just about numbers — it was about reaching students who need this program most. CHAMPS expanded into the LA market, including working with students in the Inglewood school district and launching a first-ever program at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. These are students who don’t always see themselves reflected in the athletes they watch — and CHAMPS is changing that.
None of This Happens Without Our Partners
Programs like CHAMPS exist because of partners who believe in the mission. A huge thank you to ESPN, Deloitte, Gainbridge, Parity, and every partner who helped bring mentorship, movement, and mental health support to kids across the country this year. Your investment in CHAMPS is an investment in the next generation.
What’s Coming Next
The next school year is already shaping up to be the biggest yet. CHAMPS is adding new athlete videos, launching an animated series, and spotlighting some of the best leagues and teams in the country. The program that started with a simple belief — that athletes can change the lives of young people — is only getting started.
If your school is ready to bring CHAMPS to your students, sign up now and get ready for an exciting new school year.
Athletes for Hope’s CHAMPS program is made possible by the generous support of our partners. To learn more about partnering with CHAMPS, visit athletesforhope.org.