A program of THRIVE for Teens
Built for the athlete, not just the sport.
Student-athletes carry a load most people never see: practice, injury, pressure, recruiting, and school all at once. THRIVE for Athletes is our free resource hub for handling all of it, built around three things we think every athlete deserves to know before they need it.
Part of THRIVE for Teens, our Bakersfield nonprofit teaching the life skills school leaves out.
Section one
Athletic Health
Staying in the game starts with knowing how your body actually works, how to warm up, when to rest, and when pain is telling you something you should not ignore.
Where to go next
- STOP Sports Injuries Injury prevention guides by sport, from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
- A Guide to Safety for Young Athletes Plain-language safety basics from OrthoInfo, the patient site of the AAOS.
- American Sports & Performance Dietitians Association Fueling and nutrition guidance written for athletes, not general dieting.
- APTA Find a PT Search for a licensed physical therapist near you when something needs real attention.
Section two
Athletic Mindset
The mental side of sport gets talked about the least and costs the most. Nerves, slumps, injury grief, and the pressure to perform are normal, and there are real tools for all of them.
Where to go next
- Hilinski's Hope Foundation Student-athlete mental health education, advocacy, and team programming.
- AASP: Find a Certified Mental Performance Consultant Directory of certified consultants who work on the mental side of performance.
If you need help now. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, and available 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
Section three
Beyond High School
Whether or not you play at the next level, the timeline matters. Grades start counting freshman year, eligibility has real deadlines, and paying for school is its own skill. Here is the four-year map.
Where to go next
- NCAA Eligibility Center Register here to compete at a Division I or II school, and check course requirements early.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The official federal aid application. Free to file, and required for most need-based aid.
- Kern County Library: Free Tutoring Free local homework help and tutoring. Grades keep you eligible, so this counts as training too.
THRIVE for Athletes
Equipment Donation Drive
Talent is spread evenly. Equipment is not. Our drive outfits underserved schools' athletic programs with the basic gear their athletes need to train safely and compete.
Safety & recovery
- Athletic tape
- Ice packs
- Bandages
- First aid kits
Training equipment
- Resistance bands
- Weights
- Training cones
- Sports balls
Everyday gear
- Reusable water bottles
- Socks
- Shoes
Our donation process is still underway. We are finalizing whether the drive will accept monetary gifts, in-kind gear, or both, alongside our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship. This button goes live the moment that is settled. Get in touch if you would like to give before then.
This drive is specific to THRIVE for Athletes and is separate from general THRIVE for Teens giving.
Quick reference
All resources in one place
Every link from this page, together. Bookmark this section, or print it and hand it to a team.
| Section | Resource | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Health | STOP Sports Injuries | Injury prevention guides by sport |
| Athletic Health | OrthoInfo / AAOS Safety Guide | Safety basics for young athletes |
| Athletic Health | Sports & Performance Dietitians | Nutrition and fueling for athletes |
| Athletic Health | APTA Find a PT | Locate a licensed physical therapist |
| Athletic Mindset | Hilinski's Hope Foundation | Student-athlete mental health |
| Athletic Mindset | AASP: Find a CMPC | Certified mental performance consultants |
| Beyond High School | NCAA Eligibility Center | Registration and eligibility requirements |
| Beyond High School | Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) | Official federal financial aid application |
| Beyond High School | Kern County Library Tutoring | Free local homework help |
The bigger picture
THRIVE for Athletes is one part of THRIVE for Teens
Everything here sits alongside our five main pillars: general health, financial literacy, mental health, college readiness, and AI literacy. Same organization, same mission, built for a specific group of students.