CHAMPS is a school-based program for underserved kids in 2nd to 5th grade that uses the power of sports to support their mental health, leadership, and physical activity. Led by professional, Olympic, Paralympic, and college athletes, the program gives students valuable tools to succeed both in school and in life—while building meaningful connections with athlete mentors.
CHAMPS stands out with its unique, athlete-led approach that:
At its core, CHAMPS creates safe, supportive spaces where kids can grow, connect, and thrive.
Watch to see CHAMPS in action!
If you’re interested in bringing CHAMPS to your classroom for the 2025-2026 school year, please fill out the sign-up form, and our team will be in touch!
318,000+
underserved students positively impacted on a monthly basis
1,300+
participating schools across the country
100%
of teachers say they would recommend this program to a colleague
Over 90%
of teachers state that CHAMPS helps students understand mental health
Over 90%
of teachers state that CHAMPS has helped students manage stress and anxiety
Kids across the U.S. are facing a growing mental health crisis. Over 2.7 million young people are struggling with severe depression, and anxiety levels are at an all-time high. At the same time, only 1 in 4 children gets the recommended amount of daily physical activity—and youth sports participation has dropped, especially in lower-income communities.
That’s where CHAMPS comes in. By bringing athlete mentors into underserved schools, CHAMPS helps students build mental strength, boost resilience, and stay active—using sports as a powerful tool for better health.
What makes CHAMPS truly unique is its athlete-led model. These role models inspire students, helping them connect with life-changing lessons that support lasting mental and physical well-being.
CHAMPS is open to all schools nationwide and runs annually from October through April. Each month, participating schools receive a new unit based on the CHAMPS Word of the Month (see chart) and are supplemented with student workbooks, teacher guides, and access to an on-demand video library led by collegiate, professional, Olympic, and Paralympic athletes—all designed to support students’ mental and physical well-being throughout the school year.
Here are a few examples of the CHAMPS on-demand videos: Courage with Megan Montefusco, NWSL, and Honesty with Joshua Kelly, NFL.
Schools also have the opportunity to sign up for athletes to join their students’ monthly lessons in person or virtually. During these sessions, the athlete will lead the program for students with lessons running approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
What Educators and Athletes are Saying
This year, we had an amazing Olympic athlete visit many of our classes. The students were so engaged and they were fascinated by her story! I hope that we can do more of these visits next year.
Criss Moreno
112th Street Elementary School
Participating in the CHAMPS program with Athletes for Hope has been incredibly inspiring. Working with the students was so rewarding and reminded me of the impact that we can have by sharing our stories. Not only was I able to share my experiences as a student-athlete and how they relate to the pillars of CHAMPS, but I also learned a lot from the students’ thoughtful questions and answers. I'm so grateful to be part of this program and look forward to supporting and learning from the next generation!
Gabby Wilkinson
Professional Track and Field Athlete (Atlanta Track Club)
At Center City Brightwood, the Athletes for Hope program uniquely uses sports and movement as powerful tools to bring the CHAMPS curriculum to life. By integrating athleticism into lessons, students are not only inspired but also actively engaged in understanding and practicing the core values of CHAMPS.
Jermar Rountree
Center City Brightwood (Washington, D.C.)
