Today marks the seventh anniversary of the founding of MaxInMotion, and I wanted to report to you the extraordinary progress we have made in providing opportunities to economically and physically challenged youth through participation in sports. 

MaxInMotion was founded with recognition that participation in organized team sports assists in character development, overall health and self-esteem. It also models teamwork and interdependence. 

With generous support from the community, MaxInMotion has positively affected the lives of over 34,000 young athletes, including those with significant physical challenges. 

In Arizona, MaxInMotion has provided 9,000 scholarships that allow participation in soccer, hockey and adaptive sports through partnerships with the Arizona Soccer Association, the Arizona Coyotes Foundation and Ability360. The youth we are assisting have been carefully qualified on the basis of economic need or family hardship. 

MaxInMotion collaborates with Ability 360, one of the nation’s leading adaptive sports facilities, to sponsor wheelchair sports leagues for Arizona youth with special physical needs- one of the most comprehensive wheelchair athletics opportunities in the country. 

Beginning this summer, MaxInMotion will also support a soccer team in Phoenix composed of refugees who have escaped horrific conditions in their native countries, and settled in Arizona. Our assistance will allow the team to compete within the state, and regionally, and help to heal the wounds of these young athletes. We will also provide language and academic support to team members, enabling them to enjoy the many opportunities America offers. 

In Southern California, MaxInMotion has been working with 16 independent youth soccer organizations offering technical, academic and social support to over 25,000 players. We are focused on providing opportunities for social mobility, using soccer as an organizing platform to educate players and their families about the importance of preparation for college and economic advancement. 

A few of our accomplishments over the past year include:

  • Training and certification of 300 youth coaches
  • Four university visits to orient hundreds of young players to college requirements and opportunities
  • Three MaxInMotion showcase tournaments attended by college coaches, involving 864 players
  • Creation of the California United Soccer Leagues allowing over 12,000 economically challenged Latino youth to compete in sanctioned soccer in the State of California
  • Competition by the MaxInMotion All-Stars in the International Champions Cup Tournament, leading to selection of several MaxInMotion players to US Soccer regional teams

There is no doubt that MaxInMotion is building a better future for thousands of deserving kids in Arizona and California. We hope to expand our services and opportunities to other regions, and do even more to help to help kids. Importantly, with all administrative services and staffing donated, MaxInMotion deploys 99.9% of its funds directly into programming. 

Many of you are aware that our family and close friends, to honor the memory of my son Max, founded MaxInMotion in 2012. In his name, we have succeeded in creating opportunities for those in need . Please help us continue our work, and consider a generous contribution to MaxInMotion at maxinmotion.org, or with checks payable to MaxInMotion Foundation, mailed to 3200 East Camelback Road, Suite 395, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

With extraordinary gratitude,

Jonah Shacknai