From the Field to the Future

At The 18th Ward, sports create an entry point to something larger: confidence, leadership, employment and community connection.

The New Orleans nonprofit provides affordable sports and workforce-development programming for young people and families across the city. Its programs serve participants from early childhood through age 24, while its workforce-development pathway connects young people ages 14–24 with paid coaching positions, leadership training and real-world job experience.

The organization reported that its Spring 2026 programming placed 4,721 children on team rosters and created 175 part-time jobs for young people across 45 programs and 23 locations.

Just One Voice supports this work by helping extend the pathway beyond participation—connecting young people and families with educational resources, professional relationships and tools that can support college, employment and long-term growth.

Together, the organizations are helping ensure that the lessons learned through sports can become building blocks for life beyond the field.