Neighborhood Soccer, the community‑driven youth sports initiative that has been delivering free soccer, meals and mentorship to elementary‑school children in Sioux Falls since 2021, announced a strategic partnership with the Sioux Falls Family YMCA that will secure the program’s funding and operational stability for years to come.
Under the leadership of Program Director Callie Schock, who assumed the role after founder Randall Beck stepped aside in 2022, the organization has grown from a single park to eight separate locations, serving roughly 800 children each season.
The alliance with the YMCA replaces an earlier collaboration with Empower Sioux Falls, a partnership that was limited by the latter’s religious affiliation and consequently restricted access to certain grant programs.
Schock explained that the YMCA’s broader resource network and its non‑sectarian status open doors to new financial resources, allowing Neighborhood Soccer to maintain its free‑of‑charge model while expanding its outreach.
A New Chapter for Youth Sports
The transition, finalized around July 22 after months of discussion that began in early 2026, ensures that the program can continue to offer soccer as well as future basketball and lacrosse initiatives at the same eight parks: Frank Olson Park, Spellerberg Park, Mansor‑Pioneer Park, Campus Park, Hayward Park, Meldrum Park, Kenny Anderson Park and Terrace Park West.
Beyond the field, the program provides coaching, equipment and mentorship, delivering not only athletic development but also nutrition and social support to children in grades two through five.
Future Prospects
With the YMCA’s backing, Neighborhood Soccer is poised to introduce basketball and lacrosse programs next year, creating a multi‑sport pathway that could keep children engaged through their elementary years.
The partnership not only safeguards the current free soccer and meals offering but also charts a course for sustained growth, ensuring that Sioux Falls’ youngest residents have reliable access to sport, nutrition and mentorship for years to come.