Community Impact
We help kids move, learn, belong, and lead.
First Serve NoCo exists because many kids in Northern Colorado still face barriers to sports, mentorship, and healthy after-school activities. Some families cannot afford youth sports. Some kids do not have easy access to tennis courts or equipment. Some parents are working long hours. Some students need more trusted adults in their lives. Some families need programs that welcome them in both English and Spanish.
We meet kids where they are. On playgrounds. In schools. At Boys & Girls Clubs. On public courts. In neighborhoods where opportunity matters most.
Access to Sports
We provide free and low-cost tennis programming, equipment, and coaching, so cost is not the reason a child misses out.
Health and Movement
We help kids stay active in a fun way. Tennis gets kids running, moving, balancing, reacting, and thinking.
Mentorship and Belonging
Our coaches and volunteers help kids feel seen, supported, and encouraged. For many kids, that relationship matters as much as the sport.
Leadership
We help kids learn how to lead by showing respect, making good choices, helping others, and staying positive when things get hard.
| Community Problem | Local Data | How First Serve NoCo Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Unequal access to youth sports |
Putnam Elementary: 75.3% free/reduced lunch. Lincoln Middle: 63.9%. Truscott Elementary: 56.4%. Laurene Edmondson Elementary: 63.0%. Peakview Academy at Conrad Ball: 67.9%. Garfield Elementary: 52.8%. PSD districtwide: 30.8%. Thompson districtwide: 37.8%. |
We bring free or low-cost tennis, equipment, coaches, and caring adults directly to schools and community spaces. |
| Family financial pressure |
Larimer County poverty rate: 10.5%. Estimated people of all ages in poverty: 38,029 (2024). Median gross rent: $1,716. Median owner cost with mortgage: $2,305. |
We remove cost as a barrier and give kids access to healthy activities that do not require expensive clubs, equipment, or lessons. |
| Support for single-parent households | In Larimer County, 23.5% of households with children are single-parent households. | We give families a trusted, affordable place where kids can be active, mentored, and encouraged. |
| Need for trusted adults and belonging |
Colorado middle school data: 73% have an adult to go to for help (about 27% do not). 66% feel like they belong at school (about 34% do not). |
Coaches and volunteers learn kids' names, notice their effort, and create a place where they are known and supported. |
| Youth mental health and stress |
Colorado middle school data: 23% reported poor mental health most or all of the past month. 24% reported persistent sadness or hopelessness in the past year. |
Tennis gives kids a positive outlet, a reason to move, a team-like community, and adults who care. |
| Need for physical activity | CDC recommends children and teens ages 6–17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Physical activity supports brain health, fitness, heart and lung health, bone strength, and a healthy weight. | We make movement fun and social, especially for kids who may not join traditional team sports. |
| Screen-heavy childhood | CDC research links high screen time with risks such as poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms. | We give kids a reason to run, play, compete, laugh, and build friendships in person. |
| Bilingual connection and belonging |
Larimer County: 13.4% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. 8.6% of residents age 5+ speak a language other than English at home. Truscott Elementary is a Dual Language Immersion school. |
We teach tennis, life skills, and leadership lessons in English and Spanish, so language is not a barrier to belonging. |
| Local demand for recreation scholarships |
The Loveland Parks and Recreation Foundation receives more than 200 youth scholarship requests each year. Fort Collins offers reduced recreation fees for income-eligible families. CSU Youth Sport Camps reports scholarship requests have historically outweighed available funds. |
First Serve NoCo adds another low-cost, mission-driven path for kids to access sports and mentorship. |
| Need for community partners | Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, recreation agencies, donors, and families all play a role in supporting youth success. | We support schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, city recreation partners, donors, and families through unique tennis, leadership, and bilingual education programs. |
Donate Today
To make a donation to support NJTL FC programs and the youth of Fort Collins, click below.