Step Forward: Running Shoes for Youth in Oaxaca
Providing sport-specific shoes to underserved youth athletes in Oaxaca, empowering them to compete safely, confidently, and with dignity — while advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Overview
This initiative advances equitable access to sport for youth in one of Mexico’s most economically disadvantaged states. Many athletes come from rural and Indigenous communities where the cost of a single pair of sport-specific shoes exceeds a month’s household income. Without proper footwear, talented youth face injury, exclusion, and reduced performance — even when they qualify for state or national competitions.
Through Step Forward, Oax Sport Inc. equips promising athletes with footwear and essential gear to train safely, compete on equal footing, and pursue athletic achievement with dignity. This project supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities) and U.S. public diplomacy priorities in youth development, sports diplomacy, and community resilience.
Why This Project Matters
In underserved areas, shoes are not just equipment — they are a gateway to opportunity. Worn-out or ill-fitting footwear often forces young athletes to withdraw from competitions or give up sports entirely. Inadequate gear increases injury risk and undermines long-term participation. By sourcing high-quality, sport-appropriate shoes from local vendors, this project keeps youth active, healthy, and engaged in both sport and education — while boosting the local economy.
What This Project Supports
- Shoe Procurement: Purchase of running, trail, or track shoes tailored to each athlete’s sport.
- Uniform & Gear Packages: Travel bags, racing kits, and competition-day apparel.
- Recycling & Redistribution: Cleaning and reallocating gently used gear from advanced athletes.
- Needs-Based Distribution: Prioritized for low-income youth with verified competition participation.
Your Support Can Provide
$50
Travel bag and event uniform.
$90
Standard road or trail running shoes.
$180
Competition-grade track spikes.
$400
Full racing gear package for a national-level youth athlete.
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2025–2028 Impact Goals
- Equip at least 30 youth athletes with professional footwear each year.
- Reduce injury and dropout rates caused by inadequate gear.
- Build self-esteem and team pride through equal access to quality equipment.
- Strengthen local businesses through direct sourcing in Mexico.
Help Youth Athletes Step Forward
Your support equips young athletes with the tools they need to succeed in sport and in life. Oax Sport Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 86-3407818) and a registered civil association in Mexico. All donations are tax-deductible where applicable.