Spring Break Sports Business Immersion in Downtown Colorado Springs!

Downtown Ventures partners with Hillside Connection to connect youth with the sports business community

Seventeen middle school students from Southern Colorado Springs recently experienced a Hillside Connection Spring Break sports business immersion. Students toured six businesses and learned about potential career paths, entrepreneurship, creativity, and more from local business leaders.

“You become what you see, who you affiliate yourself with. Exposing underserved youth to the business community helps to give them an equal platform to learn about various industries, develop skill sets needed for future internships and job opportunities, and build relationships with a diverse network of local leaders,” said Terrell Brown, Hillside Connection CEO & President. “I would encourage all business leaders (public, private and nonprofit sectors) to learn more about what Hillside Connection represents and how we can continue to collaborate to uplift the next generation.”

Investing in future leaders

A strategic goal of the Hillside Connection Spring Break program is to increase the probability for children in southeast Colorado Springs to be able to break through systemic challenges to success. During the spring break camp, students met at several businesses to explore the plethora of career paths available in the sports business realm.

Monday

Whealthy Unlimited, Jaron Cook, Social Entrepreneurship Fitness First
USA Basketball, National Teams & Community Impact

Wednesday

UCCS Sports Business Management Program, Prof. Carolayne Henry, Avenues to becoming a sports business
industry professional
Colorado Springs Olympic City USA, Doug Price, Vanessa Zink: The Epicenter – US Olympic and Paralympic Movements

Friday

National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation, Careers in sports science & training
Colorado Springs Sports Corp, Nonprofit Event Planning & Community Collaboration ~ Impact at Scale

A promising partnership

The collaboration between Downtown Ventures and Hillside Connection supports multiple goals, explains Michelle Winchell, executive director of Downtown Ventures. “We want to establish stronger ties with our adjacent neighborhoods and we also want to proactively ensure we are welcoming all people to our Downtown. This is a great way to connect young people in our community to the wealth of interesting, talented, and community-supporting businesspeople in our city center — from chefs and artists to small business owners, the tech sector and more.”

Hillside Connection was founded by Brown in 2017 with a mission to leverage the game of basketball to create pathways to opportunity for youth in Southern Colorado Springs. The nonprofit provides youth with opportunities that extend beyond the basketball court through enrichment activities, community engagement, and academic/family support services.

To date, the organization does not have full-time staff, and is led by community volunteers who serve as coaches and mentors. Since 2017, more than 450 youth have participated in Hillside Connection’s programming, most of whom come from single-parent and/or low-income households.

How you can help

The Spring Break Immersion Program is going strong, and Brown hopes to expand into summer programming but relies on sponsorships from the local community. See a list of current community supporters here.