Hi everyone! My name is Austin Lowrey, and I'm currently a member of Carolina Youth Coalition's Young Professionals Board and a College Fellow mentor for Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC). On March 22, 2025, our young professionals board will be hosting Paddles for a Purpose, a 18 team pickleball tournament and networking event at Tipsy Pickle from 9:30am-12:30pm. Attendees will also be able to learn more mentorship opportunities and CYC's 100 Heroes Campaign, which was launched in late 2024 to recruit 100 mentors in 100 days to support CYC's rising senior class!

Proceeds from the event will be used for Carolina Youth Coalition’s Persistence Program, which supports "Fellows" from the time they make their 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 educational expenses, as well as connection to career development and internship opportunities.

Why "Paddles for a Purpose" is important to me:
I've spent the last two years supporting CYC and continue to be amazed with what this organization has done for students across the Charlotte Region. CYC's slogan "Every Dream Needs a Team" reflects how impactful a strong network of peers, mentors, and community resources can be when applied effectively to help young people reach their full potential, and I’ve seen firsthand the amazing programs and opportunities this organization has created for high-performing, under-resourced students throughout the Carolinas. During my time as a CYC Fellow mentor, I've gotten the opportunity to get to know Winifred (pictured above), one of CYC's College Fellows, and I continue to be impressed with how much she's done academically, professionally, and with the community during her time at UNC.

We recently met for lunch and discussed how much of an impact CYC has made on her life and the other Fellows, including the considerable amount of time and resources CYC puts into each of their Fellows to help them get into and prepare for college, apply and earn a significant amount of scholarships to attend college debt-free, and help them make the right connections to land a great job after college. Winifred mentioned that her ability to attend college debt-free allowed her to enroll in one of UNC's study abroad programs in Florence, Italy in Fall 2024, which allowed her to immerse herself in a new culture, expand her perspective, and grow significantly as a person. This is one of the many opportunities CYC creates for their Fellows, and I hope you'll join me in donating to CYC's College Fellow Persistence Program.

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