Right Course

True, it’s a brand new nonprofit organization.  But still, there is plenty to say about this exciting new venture.

According to two of the organizations’ founders, Chad Goldwasser and Nathan Smith, Right Course was founded in direct response to a need of our community.  Organized sports can be an important piece in a child’s development.  Sports teach children teamwork, leadership, and responsibility, all of which are traits that can lead to success later in life.  But there are costs associated with organized sports, and in Travis and Williamson counties, those costs are going up. 

Last week, Capital Area Food Bank President David Davenport stated that, when faced with limited financial resources, some families are forced to choose between paying rent and utilities, paying for gas to go to work, or feeding themselves.  At this point, paying for a child to be on a sports team has long since become a non-option.

Right course exists to provide the financial backing for single-parent children living in poverty to participate in organized sports.  According to the Right Course website:

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Participation in sports has always provided children opportunities for leadership and socialization, as well as the development of skills for handling success and failure. Additionally, it is in this arena where kids begin to develop physically, mentally, and eventually professionally. The challenge that many children or their single parents face these days is the fact that the cost of participation continues to rise and not everyone can afford to play! RIGHT COURSE, INC. was organized to help bridge this gap by helping to provide financial resources.

The founders of Right Course have no desire to simply put pads or shoes on these kids – they want to transform the way they see the world.  Applicants accepted to the program go through a “pay it forward” process, where they volunteer time at a local nonprofit as a way to “earn” the money required for their sport of choice.  The idea is to create socially conscious citizens, young men and women who care about the community. 

Still in its infancy, Right Course envisions itself being able to partner with other aid organization in the future, becoming their financial arm for getting the children they work with into organized sports.  Right Course is currently accepting applications.  For more information about applying and application requirements, please click here. 

And for the audio of my interview with Chad and Nathan, click here.