Greetings, y'all!  

As the hype woman for Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC) and a proud member of the Young Professionals Board, I’m thrilled to announce our first-ever Paddles for a Purpose pickleball tournament.

Meet me at the courts for a cause!  

📅 Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025  
📍 Location: Tipsy Pickle, 201 Camp Rd Suite 120, CLT, NC  
🕘 Time: 9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.  

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🎟 Tickets:  
- $40 for a single guest  
- $90 for a two-person team  

Includes:  
- Food & non-alcoholic beverages  
- A raffle ticket (trust me, the raffles are GOOD!)  
- A gift bag packed with goodies  

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Paddles for a Purpose is more than just a tournament.  

Proceeds from this event support CYC’s Persistence Program, which provides first-generation and under-resourced college students with the guidance, mentorship and resources they need to stay on track, graduate and launch their careers.

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The work CYC does is incredible, and so is their team.

CYC’s mission is to close critical resource gaps for high-achieving students from under-resourced communities. Through college readiness, career exploration and socio-emotional learning programs, CYC nurtures and propels these students on their journey to and through college.

Why, might you ask?

- A college degree increases these students’ chances of economic mobility by more than 50%.  

- Many Charlotte schools have nearly 400 students per counselor, making personalized guidance hard to find.  

- Getting into college is just half the battle—only 1 in 10 low-income, first-generation college students finish their degree and walk across the graduation stage.

Despite these odds, with the right tools and a strong support network, these students are graduating and returning to their communities as leaders, innovators and advocates. See the numbers here! 

By joining Paddles for a Purpose, you’re helping break down barriers and set students up for success.

That’s the biggest W there is.  

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Doing good feels good:

Register Now: Form a team and compete for the Paddles for a Purpose title! (hello, bragging rights!)

Donate Today: Every dollar goes directly toward helping students stay on track and graduate.

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Join us for a morning of play, connection and impact (I’ll be on the sidelines with a megaphone!)

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Welcome to Paddles for a Purpose!

Join us on Saturday, March 22nd for an unforgettable day of pickleball, networking, and purpose! Hosted by Carolina Youth Coalition’s (CYC) Young Professionals Board, this 18-team pickleball tournament is your chance to have fun, connect with like-minded young professionals, and make a lasting impact on our community.

Proceeds from this event will directly benefit CYC’s Persistence Program, which supports first-generation and under-resourced college students in staying on track and achieving their dreams of graduation and workforce readiness.

Why Your Support Matters

At Carolina Youth Coalition, we’re on a mission to nurture and propel high-achieving, under-resourced students to and through college. Every donation to Paddles for a Purpose helps us provide the guidance, mentorship, and resources students need to succeed in college and beyond.

Nearly 90% of CYC "Fellows" are first-generation college students. While getting into college is certainly an accomplishment, there are myriad barriers and obstacles that can derail first-generation and low-income college students from persisting through college and earning a degree. 

This is where CYC's Persistence Program steps in! Our holistic support follows Fellows from the time they make thier college decision through all four years of college with support such as assistance with travel to and from school, technology, dorm room supplies, and other education expenses, as well as connection to career development and internship opportunities. 

Have lots of fun and help CYC ensure our Fellows have what they need to graduate on time and be ready to enter the workforce! 

How You Can Make an Impact

Whether you’re playing in the tournament, attending to network, or simply donating, your participation will create ripple effects for students striving for brighter futures.

• Register to Play: Form a team and compete for the Paddles for a Purpose title!

• Fundraise: Rally your network to support this incredible cause by creating your own fundraising page.

• Donate: Every dollar counts and directly supports college persistence efforts.

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, March 22, 2025
📍 Location: Tipsy Pickle
🕘 Time: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm 

Spread the Word

Help us grow our impact by sharing this page with friends, family, and colleagues! Together, we can ensure that more students achieve their college dreams and transform their lives.

Let’s Rally Together for a Brighter Future!

Your paddle is more than just a tool for the game—it’s a symbol of the impact we can make together. Thank you for supporting the Carolina Youth Coalition and our incredible Fellows.

Donate Today or Register Now

Sponsors 

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor