About Strides Over Sidelines
A Washington, D.C. metro-based youth development and advocacy organization serving underserved students ages 8 to 15.
Strides Over Sidelines (SOS) helps young athletes and their families navigate youth sports, academics, mental performance, and long-term opportunity through a structured cohort model paired with practical guidance and advocacy.
Our Mission
Strides Over Sidelines empowers underserved youth through high-quality soccer training, sports psychology, academic support, and mentorship. We equip students with the confidence, discipline, and skills needed to thrive on and off the field.
Our Vision
SOS exists to foster a generation of confident, resilient, and academically prepared young people by offering accessible programs in athletics, mental performance, and education throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and beyond.
How We Work
SOS is designed to support young people at two levels that reinforce each other.
Individual Level
We provide consistent, high-trust support to each child and family through weekly training, mental performance instruction, mentorship, and practical guidance that helps families access opportunities and make informed decisions.
Community Level
We are building a repeatable model that improves how youth development pathways are delivered and accessed. By codifying curriculum, training coaches, measuring outcomes, and partnering with schools and community organizations, SOS aims to scale a hub-based approach across schools and communities over time.
What Makes SOS Different
SOS is built as a full pathway and support system, not a standalone sports program.
High-quality soccer training led by qualified coaches focused on fundamentals, teamwork, and leadership
Mental performance tools that build confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, and goal setting
Academic support and mentorship that reinforce discipline, consistency, and long-term development
Family guidance and advocacy to help families understand options, timelines, and next steps across school and sport
Partners and Community Roots
SOS works alongside local schools, community organizations, and youth sports programs to identify students with potential who lack consistent access to coaching and support systems. We also collaborate with local partners to expand access, strengthen programming, and stay grounded in community needs.
Join SOS
If you are a coach, mentor, partner organization, or potential sponsor, we would like to connect. SOS is building a model where opportunity is not determined by family income or proximity to private networks, and where young people get the support they need to thrive.