Hillside Connection was founded in 2017 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019. Our mission is to leverage the game of basketball to create pathways to opportunity for youth in Southern Colorado Springs.
Each year, we serve more than 1,200 underserved K–8 students through affordable, donation-based programs, with scholarships available so that every child has the opportunity to participate.
Our work is driven by the belief that access to sports should not depend on a family's income. Nationally, children from households earning under $25,000 participate in sports at significantly lower rates than those from higher-income families. Locally, families spend an average of $3,500 per year on youth athletics, creating additional barriers for many children.
Hillside Connection addresses these disparities through a comprehensive 5-Tier Youth Development Model:
By combining athletics with mentorship, education, and community partnerships, we help young people build confidence, develop life skills, and create pathways to long-term success.
Learn more about our impact here: News — Hillside Connection