Free spring soccer at Newton YMCA

A generous grant from the Monsignor McCann Community Fund is allowing all children will be able to participate in the YMCA’s spring soccer for free.

The Newton YMCA has been providing youth soccer opportunities to the community for decades. Now, all youth ages 3 to 12 will be eligible to participate at no cost. YMCA CEO Lucas Hughes said the organization applied for the grant to help all kids, regardless of the family’s financial situation.

“MMCF Board President Mark Thayer and I had discussed what we could do to reach those children who are desperately needing some normalcy without putting a burden on the family’s finances,” Hughes said.

Physical activity provides healthy cognitive development for children and the YMCA’s soccer program is just one opportunity for area youth to participate. With the grant, it eliminated the financial burden to allow parents to register their kids without hesitation.

Hughes is thankful to the MMCF for the grant after riding out a difficult 2020. The year was taxing on many nonprofits and the YMCA was no exception.

“The YMCA has been financially strained during COVID, so this was a very special gift from a very special organization. We are grateful for their support and hope to use the funds to their fullest potential by registering as many children as we can for the youth spring soccer league,” Hughes said.

Families can register their children for the youth soccer program at the YMCA’s front desk or online at newtonymca.org. Use the code MMCF to receive the full scholarship for the league. Practice will begin March 29 with the first games set for April 10.

Hughes said there are ways others can help out the program by volunteering to coaches for the team.

This is the third contribution the YMCA has received from the MMCF but the impact is just as important to continue to provide services to area youth.

“They are amazing advocates for the YMCA and for their community. I highly encourage all nonprofits that work directly with those in need or disadvantaged persons to look into the fund to see if the mission of their organization aligns with this fund,” Hughes said.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com