Coach and youth sprinter stand on a track in Oaxaca, Mexico. The athlete holds an orange Nike shoe box. A title card reads “Youth Sprinter Support. Jazmin Cruz. Step Forward. Oaxaca, Mexico.”

Step Forward Support in Oaxaca, Mexico. One Pair of Shoes That Kept Training On Track

Diana García Diana García

In January 2026, Oax Sport provided one-time support to help a youth sprinter in Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico keep training on schedule. Her name is Jazmín Carolina Cruz Ortiz. She trains with coach Octaviano Robles and the Espíritu Guerrero team. Her tutor, Alicia Carolina Ortiz Garzón, approved the support.

The need was simple and urgent. Sprint training wears down shoes fast. Races were close. The family needed help right away, so we bought the pair and delivered it at practice.

Key Facts

  • Oax Sport provided one-time, in-kind support for a youth sprinter in Oaxaca, Mexico in January 2026.
  • The athlete is Jazmín Carolina Cruz Ortiz, based in Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico.
  • Coach Octaviano Robles and the Espíritu Guerrero team supported her training plan.
  • Alicia Carolina Ortiz Garzón approved the request as Jazmín’s tutor.
  • Oax Sport purchased and delivered one pair of training shoes during practice.
  • Workplace giving through Benevity funded the support through small employee donations.

What happened at practice

We met Jazmín at a training session in the Oaxaca City area. The group worked through sprint mechanics and speed work. We brought the shoes, confirmed the size, and handed them over with the coach present. This support covered one item only. It targeted the training gap that can show up right before an important meet.

Jazmín’s tutor explained the timing from the family side. “She is one week away from CONADE, and having new training shoes is a priority for good performance,” she told us.

She also described what she sees in training. “With the technique, the shoes get worn down very fast, and for good preparation, the training shoes must be in good condition,” she said.

What we provided

We purchased one pair of road running shoes for youth athletes:

  • Model: Nike Pegasus 41 (Big Kids, road running)
  • Size: 23.5 cm (US 5Y)
  • Cost: $2,099 MXN. About $119 USD using a mid-January 2026 Banxico FIX reference rate reported in Mexican press.

We focus on support. Shoes are one way to remove a cost that can stop training. We do not focus on brands.

What Jazmín’s tutor told us

Alicia Carolina Ortiz Garzón described the effect at home in direct terms.

“It motivates her to train with more purpose to reach her goals.”

She described Jazmín as a committed and disciplined girl. She said Jazmín has clear goals and fights to reach them every day.

She also wanted to thank the donors who made the support possible.

“Thank you to Oax Sport and to everyone who supports. You make it possible to receive this support. That motivates me to train with more desire, to keep fighting to reach my goals, and to give the maximum on the track.”

What the coach noticed

Coach Octaviano Robles focused on two points. First, the support reduced stress on the family budget. Second, it helped the training process and safety as races approached.

“It resolved an expense for her parents,” he said, “and it helped them economize for her footwear.”

He tied the support to preparation and injury prevention. He said better training shoes support consistent sessions and reduce injury risk as she prepares for the state championship.

He also shared the next targets he sees in her season. He said Jazmín wants more competition experience at the national level. He said her season focus includes the Mexican Federation of School Sports championship. He also said this kind of support helps the athlete feel more secure in herself.

Where this support fits in Step Forward

Step Forward: Running Shoes for Youth in Oaxaca is an Oax Sport program focused on one practical need. We provide sport-appropriate footwear for youth athletes when families face a sudden cost. We aim to keep training steady when a competition date is close.

We work through coaches and families. A coach raises the need. A parent or tutor confirms the details. Then we buy the item and deliver it directly. We keep a simple record for our files. We also write a short donor-facing report so supporters can see what happened in Oaxaca, Mexico.

How Step Forward works in practice

We built Step Forward for speed and clarity. Here is what the process looks like on the ground.

  • Need request: A coach or program lead tells us what the athlete needs and why the timing matters.
  • Family approval: A parent or tutor confirms the athlete, the size, and the basic details.
  • Budget check: We match the request to available funds in Step Forward or the general fund.
  • Purchase: We buy the item through a reputable vendor. When we can, we buy in Oaxaca, Mexico to keep timelines short.
  • Delivery: We deliver at training or before travel. We prefer delivery with the coach present.
  • Recordkeeping: We keep the receipt and a short internal note. We also keep a few photos for program records when the family agrees.

This process keeps the focus on the athlete and the deadline. It also helps donors understand exactly what their support funded.

Partnerships and local coaches

Step Forward works because local coaches carry the day-to-day work. They know the training calendar. They know when equipment fails. They also know when a family faces a cost that can stop training.

In this case, coach Octaviano Robles and the Espíritu Guerrero team supported Jazmín’s training plan and asked for urgent help. We coordinate with coaches like him across Oaxaca, Mexico. We rely on their local knowledge, and we also rely on family approval before we act.

We do not ask coaches to “sell” a story. We ask them for clear details. What does the athlete need. What does it cost. When does the need hit. That helps us act fast and stay fair.

Funding snapshot

This support came from workplace giving through Benevity. A group of corporate employees in Mexico and the United States gave small donations that created a starter budget for fast, one-time support.

Our Benevity disbursement reports show $110 USD (gross) in Step Forward gifts across late 2025 and January 2026. Benevity reported $0.72 USD in platform support fees tied to a Step Forward gift. We set aside $100 USD from these gifts to cover quick athlete needs as they arise.

We do not list employer names in this post. Employer portals can appear in disbursement records, but donor reports often redact details, and families do not benefit from a long employer list. We focus on totals, purpose, and outcomes.

Why the same shoes can cost more in Mexico

People compare a Mexico price tag to a U.S. price tag and assume the cost should match. In practice, several factors can push Mexico retail prices higher.

  • IVA (VAT) shows in the listed price. Mexico includes IVA in the shelf price. The standard rate is 16%.
  • Import duties can add a large layer. The exact rate depends on the tariff line and country of origin. Guidance and tariff changes have listed footwear rates that can reach around 30% in some cases before IVA.
  • Logistics and currency swings raise costs. Shipping, warehousing, and last-mile delivery often cost more. Retailers also price exchange-rate risk.
  • Discount channels differ. Mexico has fewer outlet pathways and fewer deep seasonal markdowns than the United States.

A quick illustration helps. If a pair lands with a 30% import duty, a $100 base cost becomes $130 before tax. Add 16% IVA and the total moves to about $151. The exact math changes by product and origin, but the stack of costs is real.

What $2,099 MXN means against income in Oaxaca, Mexico

In Oaxaca, Mexico, many families earn income in informal work, not in formal payroll jobs. That matters because income can be lower and less predictable. State labor data also shows a wide gap between formal and informal pay.

In 2025 Q1, workers in Oaxaca, Mexico earned an average $6,910 MXN per month in formal jobs and $3,380 MXN per month in informal work. Informal work made up the larger share of employment in the state. This is state-level data, and family income can vary widely, but it gives a useful reference point.

That context helps explain why one pair of training shoes can feel urgent:

  • Compared with informal monthly pay ($3,380 MXN), $2,099 MXN equals about 62% of one month of income.
  • Compared with formal monthly pay ($6,910 MXN), $2,099 MXN equals about 30% of one month of income.

For many families, a new pair competes with groceries, transport, and school costs. When a meet is close, families often face a choice they should not have to make. Pay for gear now, or let training slip at the worst time. Step Forward targets those moments.

Typical costs that donors cover

Costs change by sport, size, and season. These examples match our current Step Forward ranges:

  • $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

What you can do besides donating

Money matters, but it is not the only help we need. You can also support in simple, practical ways.

  • Share the story: If you post about this support, tag Oax Sport when you can. It helps us document impact and keep the program visible.
  • Offer pro skills: If you work in coaching, sports medicine, media, or program support, you can help in a defined role.
  • Connect workplace giving: If your employer uses Benevity, you can add Oax Sport to your portal favorites and share the EIN with coworkers.

How you can help right now

If you want to support the next athlete, you have a few options.

Workplace giving (Benevity): Search for Oax Sport or EIN 86-3407818 in your employer’s giving portal. Choose Step Forward or the General Athlete Support Fund.

How workplace giving works: You donate through your employer portal. Benevity aggregates gifts and sends periodic payouts to Oax Sport Inc. We track each disbursement and assign it to a project or the general fund.

One direct action: Donate through Givebutter or via workplace giving using EIN 86-3407818.

FAQ

Do you give cash to families?

We usually provide direct support in-kind, like shoes or travel fees. It helps us move fast and keep records simple.

Do you only buy Nike shoes?

No. We choose the right item for the sport, the athlete, and the budget. We mention a brand only for transparency about what we bought.

How do you choose who receives support?

We review needs through coaches and families. We prioritize youth athletes with verified training and competition plans in Oaxaca, Mexico, and a clear short-term need.

Why do you not list employer names?

Employer portals can appear on disbursement reports, but those lists often redact donor details and can change from payout to payout. We focus on totals, purpose, and outcomes.

Can I donate through my employer portal?

Yes, if your employer uses Benevity or a similar platform. Search Oax Sport or EIN 86-3407818. Then select a project or the general fund.

Does Oax Sport work with brands or sponsors?

Oax Sport is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nike or any other brand. We mention brand names only to identify what we purchased.

Glossary

  • Step Forward: An Oax Sport program that provides sport-appropriate footwear to youth athletes in Oaxaca, Mexico when a sudden cost threatens training.
  • One-time support: A single, defined support action tied to one expense, like one pair of training shoes.
  • IVA: Mexico’s value-added tax. The standard rate is 16%.
  • Workplace giving: Donations made through an employer portal that sends funds to nonprofits through a platform such as Benevity.
  • CONADE: Mexico’s National Commission of Physical Culture and Sport. Many state-level youth events connect to CONADE processes.

Sources and references

Oax Sport legal and transparency

Oax Sport Inc. is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN: 86-3407818. Oax Sport A.C. is a registered Mexican nonprofit based in Oaxaca State. Donations support athletes from underserved communities in Oaxaca, Mexico.

No brand affiliations: Oax Sport is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nike or any other brand. We mention brand names only to identify what we purchased for transparency.

Tags: #TeamOaxSport #RunOaxacaMexico

Donate through Givebutter or via workplace giving using EIN 86-3407818.

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