AACE companions with A.N.A.’s Friends to convey mentorship, enjoyable to native youth via pickleball

Laughter echoed throughout the courts and new friendships took form as dozens of native youngsters and youths stepped onto the courts at Southwest Florida’s latest pickleball facility for an unforgettable day of studying, mentorship and enjoyable.

Nearly 50 youth supported by A.N.A.’s Friends, a nonprofit providing applications and companies for kids and youths who’ve skilled abuse, neglect or abandonment, participated in a Heartfelt Hangout at PickleRage in south Fort Myers. Created by A.N.A.’s Friends to spark pleasure, construct confidence and create significant connections, Heartfelt Hangouts give kids the chance to strive new actions, develop worthwhile life abilities and join with friends who share comparable circumstances in a welcoming surroundings.

Adding to the vitality have been ambassadors from Athletes Activating Champions & Empowerment (AACE), student-athletes devoted to empowering younger individuals via mentorship, management and encouragement. AACE ambassadors taught pickleball fundamentals, like serving, volleying and footwork, whereas spending time constructing relationships with the kids. Through constructive position modeling and private connection, AACE ambassadors helped reinforce classes in resilience, teamwork, self-confidence and sportsmanship, guaranteeing each participant left the courts feeling supported, impressed and longing for future alternatives.

“It’s great that the kids will leave today with knowledge of pickleball,” stated AACE founder Noah Moon. “But more importantly, they’ll leave with great memories that build self-esteem, teach resilience and create positive relationships.”

“Some of the most heartwarming things that come out of events like this is when we hear a child that says, ‘I didn’t know anything about that and I can do it now,’” stated A.N.A.’s Friends CEO Jessica Kaestner. “They find confidence. They’re around their peers. They’re around kids that are building them up.”

A.N.A’s Friends equipped every participant within the Heartfelt Hangout with a pickleball paddle and ball custom-made with the A.N.A.’s Friends and AACE logos. AACE gave attendees Heartfelt Hangout t-shirts, lunch from Dave’s Neapolitan Pizza and a candy deal with from Southern SnoBalls.

To be taught extra about future alternatives with AACE, please go to AACEToEmpower.org/Contact.

To accomplice with A.N.A.’s Friends for a Heartfelt Hangout expertise, please name 239-245-7787 or go to ANAsFriends.org.

About AACE
Athletes Activating Champions & Empowerment, or AACE, was based in 2025. The student-led nonprofit helps center and highschool college students develop via mentorship, motion and significant connection. The group works to develop assured, resilient college students by combining the ability of sports activities with actual life steerage. Through inclusive, relationship-driven programming, sturdy partnerships and neighborhood help, AACE helps each pupil really feel seen, heard and empowered to thrive at school and in life. For extra details about AACE, please go to AACEToEmpower.org.

About A.N.A.’s Friends

A.N.A.’s Friends is a nonprofit group that gives applications and companies to weak Southwest Florida youngsters and youths who’ve been Abused, Neglected and Abandoned (A.N.A.). “Friends” of the group consists of people, companies, foundations and nonprofits that collaborate via partnerships that present a safer, extra nurturing surroundings that ensures youth have the help, sources and alternatives wanted to construct brighter futures. Originally based in 1983, A.N.A.’s Friends is a United Way Partner Agency that serves youth within the dependency court docket system throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For extra info, please go to ANAsfriends.org or name 239-245-7787.