Nonprofit Profile: We Fight Together Inc., improving youth sports and more

In brief

Name: We Fight Together Inc.
Location: Based out of Willingboro
Area Served: Currently, Burlington County, but eventually all of New Jersey
Key Members of Leadership: David R. Dunkerson, founder & president; Katelyn Gorham, secretary; Julie Brantley, treasurer.

Origin

We Fight Together Inc. was created in 2019 to address and improve common issues in youth and amateur sports.

Mission

We Fight Together Inc. is on a mission to nurture the needs of athletes, parents, coaches and organizations within our communities by providing various youth/amateur sports and support programs. Backed by a strong team of dedicated leaders, our organizational structure will provide opportunities and build community relations while ensuring competitive but safe sportsmanship.

Goals

The goal is to become the biggest and best sports league in New Jersey by 2030. After we become the biggest and best in New Jersey, we want to expand across the nation.

Achievements

The most significant achievement last year was obtaining our 501(c)(3) status.

Programs

Sports
Multi-sports league: We will be providing various sports for youth and amateurs, which will in turn allow parents/guardians and athletes to be more aware of other sports going on — allowing more access to register to play and being a constantly familiar organization. 

Ambassador program: Our ambassadors & junior ambassadors program showcases our athletes’ talents and lifestyles making them examples for their communities. WFT ambassadors are passionate about their athletic endeavor, and this program will help them to succeed at the next level.

Nutrition
A healthy diet can profoundly affect your or your child’s health by helping to maintain a healthy weight, stabilizing moods, sharpening minds and avoiding various health problems. Our nutrition program will offer and suggest more nutritious options, help with access to food and water, or any other nutritional needs you or your family may have.

Mental health
We will offer space for mental wellness group sessions to allow our athletes and families to meet with others dealing with similar issues. We will cultivate a safe space for all players and families. WFT will host mental health days to give a break from work, school and sports to allow everyone to decompress, relax and talk through any troubles. 

Career preparation
Providing volunteer career opportunities to help people gain experience in the career fields they desire to achieve. A work-based learning experience and instruction that occurs in the community or brings community partners to the classroom to help our athletes develop confidence in making informed choices about their future employment goals.

Benefactors

Local and small businesses have been our support system. Our biggest supporters are:

• Keller Williams Real Estate agent Julie Brantley
• First Gen Legacy Transport 
• BeepatCPA
• Pixieyy Beauty
• American Income Life Insurance Co.
• The Sports Playground

You can check out our sponsors and their services at wftleague.org/sponsors.

Fundraising

We just recently had our very first fundraiser. A family-friendly skating party introduced our organization. Our next fundraising event is a shoe drive and a golf tournament with former NFL players Irving Fryar, Mike Rozier, Fred Baxter and Mike Mamula. The tournament will be Oct. 22 at the Rancocas Golf Club in Willingboro. Register at givebutter.com/wftgolf. 

Finally

We want to be more than a sports organization. We Fight Together intends to provide everything that comes with sports, such as education & literacy, nutrition, mental health and more. Our organization is dedicated to supporting not just our athletes, but parents, coaches, other sports organizations and communities that we serve and will serve. The objective is to address common youth & amateur issues within sports and provide various programs to deal with these concerns. The first step in making all this possible is raising awareness of our organization and building our leagues to be a safe place with high-quality programs. 

Conversation Starter

For general information, please contact info@wftleague.org; for our secretary, contact secretary@wftleague.org to see how you can join We Fight Together. Or visit our website at wftleague.org for more information.