High school athletes mentor younger students to improve confidence and academics

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A group of high school student-athletes is helping younger students rebuild confidence, improve academics, and develop coping skills during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Athletes Activating Champions and Empowerment, or AACE, is a nonprofit based out of Canterbury School that works with Valerie's House to provide mentorship, counseling, and tutoring. AACE's volunteer efforts have led to noticeable improvements in happiness, self-esteem, mental well-being, and comfort among the children they support.

“She’s less frustrated when she comes to the house. She has less anxiety because she understands now math, algebra, something she didn't understand before. And even the teacher, you know, there was frustration with her, so this had an impact in the daytime at the school for her,” said Rosario, the father of a child being tutored by AACE.

“It feels awesome knowing that not only the kids but their caregivers trust in us because at the end of the day that’s really all we want: to trust in us and believe in our mission here at AACE and know that we’re helpful to kids and that we can make an impact on their lives,” said Noah Moon, founder of AACE.

Moon added that the program is more than just tutoring, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and building friendships with the children. He also expressed his goal to expand AACE and open chapters at other schools in Southwest Florida.

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