By Rocky Beach, Executive Director and Founder, Ultimate Impact
Ultimate Impact is a proud partner of San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and San Francisco Public Health Foundation as a Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax (SDDT) Healthy Schools Grantee. Ultimate Impact uses the sport of Ultimate Frisbee as the framework to provide youth safe and fun spaces for physical, nutritional, and mental health, community-building, and leadership development. Ultimate’s unique combination of self-officiating and mixed-gender play teaches youth to lead with honesty, respect, and inclusivity. The Soda Tax funding has enabled Ultimate Impact to expand its work to amazing new schools like Malcolm X Academy and Charles Drew Elementary School, while continuing to deepen our work and partnerships with others.
“Ultimate Impact has been a consistent and long-term health and wellness partner at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School. Besides providing a highly structured alternative sport opportunity, Ultimate Impact supports our transition work due to continuity of programming from our feeder elementary schools. Incoming 6th grade students have a familiar face and activity that they can build upon when advancing through to the next stage of their education journey.” -Jibraan Lee, Beacon Director, Dr Martin Luther King Middle School
Alongside teaching ultimate frisbee, and preparing our bodies for physical activity, trained and committed coaches also teach players how to resolve disputes collaboratively, take ownership of their actions, and work together to define and accomplish individual and collective goals. By starting with students as early as five years old, and staying with them through the different stages of schooling, our team aims to support healthy values and practices as pillars of their childhood and adolescence.
“Over the years Ultimate Impact has helped me learn about the importance of staying in shape and leading a healthy lifestyle. Their coaches have reinforced the importance of eating well, exercising, avoiding sugary drinks, and drinking more water.” – Paolo, High School Student and Program Participant
In 2023, the Women’s Sports Foundation and Global Sport Matters found that sports participation enhances health, fosters a sense of belonging and community, and supports academic success. Ultimate Impact partners with San Francisco’s top direct service youth organizations to support thousands of youth per year. Ultimate Impact’s committed and trained coaches empower youth to make healthy decisions both on and off the field.
“Ultimate Impact has taught the importance of staying on top of my health, taught me to eat well and drink more water so that I can stay ready, be healthy, fit, and more energized.” – Leslie, High School Student and Program Participant
Thank you to San Francisco Public Health Foundation, SFUSD, and Soda Tax Funding for making our community healthier by funding Ultimate Impact’s work!