Pickleball Mentoring Program Making a Difference in Memphis
Integrated Memphis, a nonprofit organization in Memphis, is using the sport of pickleball to mentor inner-city young men and help them develop into well-rounded individuals. The program, led by Jonathan Goodwin, has been a hit with middle to high school students, including mentee Caid James, who initially had reservations about the sport but quickly fell in love with it.
“Pickleball is the whole reason why I stayed,” James said. “If I didn’t have the sport, I probably wouldn’t still be here.”
The organization not only focuses on the sport itself but also incorporates academic and life lessons into their program. The young men not only learn how to play pickleball but also gain insight into the engineering side of the sport, as Integrated Memphis is involved in manufacturing paddles for other companies.
“What hooks us in is pickleball,” James explained. “What keeps us there is the life lessons. We just learn about anything we want to do when we grow up.”
The organization’s goal is to provide young men with a positive outlet and keep them engaged in activities that will benefit them in the long run. With pickleball as the centerpiece of their program, Integrated Memphis is making a significant impact on the lives of these inner-city youth.
Overall, the success of Integrated Memphis and their unique approach to mentoring through pickleball is a testament to the power of sports in shaping young minds and helping them reach their full potential.
