Model and Strategy
Oakland Genesis is a youth development organization that supports middle and high school students from East and West Oakland through a holistic model integrating free team soccer, academic coaching, mentorship, and college and career readiness. Founded in 2019, Oakland Genesis creates sustained, enriching opportunities for BIPOC youth who are often excluded from extracurricular programs and under-supported in under-resourced schools.
The organization operates two core programs: the Community Soccer Program and the Oakland Genesis Academy. The Community Soccer Program offers weekly after-school practices at 10 Oakland Unified School District schools and two parks, serving more than 1,200 low-income youth who would otherwise lack access to organized sports. It provides a welcoming entry point that fosters physical health, social-emotional growth, and a love for learning.
The Oakland Genesis Academy offers year-round academic and athletic programming for 245 youth ages 10-18, supporting participants from 6th grade through high school graduation. Academy teams meet three times a week for 90 minutes of classroom learning and 90 minutes of soccer training. Academic instructors and coaches work in tandem to deliver personalized, data-informed instruction focused on GPA growth, core skill-building, and academic engagement. High school students also engage in semester-long research and analysis projects exploring college fit, career interests, and leadership development.
To ensure student success, the Academy eliminates key barriers such as transportation and tech access, and supplements academic support with structured mentorship and mental health-informed programming. In 9th grade, students are matched with mentors—including pro athletes, tech workers, and local leaders—who help them navigate high school transitions and goal-setting. Students complete monthly surveys and ongoing assessments to identify learning needs and tailor support.
In the next 1-2 years, Oakland Genesis aims to expand Academy enrollment by 50 students annually, launch community soccer at new middle schools, and break ground on a new athletic and learning facility at Sobrante Park. The organization is also deepening partnerships with Oakland Unified School District, Elevate Tutoring, and other community stakeholders to advance its mission of equitable youth development. Through culturally responsive programming rooted in relationships, Oakland Genesis empowers young people to build confidence, graduate from high school, and chart paths to college, careers, and community leadership.
Impact
Since its founding, Oakland Genesis has delivered strong, measurable gains in academics, well-being, and postsecondary readiness. Every student who has completed the Oakland Genesis Academy has graduated from 8th grade and high school—and 100% of graduates have applied to and been accepted by institutions of higher learning.
Academically, students demonstrate notable progress. The average GPA among Academy participants is 3.32, well above the district average of below 2.7. Students receive over 125 hours of academic instruction each year, focused on growth in math, reading, and writing. Academic progress is tracked through transcripts, state exam results, internal assessments, and monthly surveys measuring confidence, engagement, and overall performance. Students at risk of falling behind are identified through a formal “academic watch list” and receive targeted tutoring and support.
These gains reflect more than just higher grades—they represent a shift in mindset. In recent surveys, 96% of students say they want to go to college, and many report increased confidence and agency in seeking help. Students also explore real-world opportunities: all high schoolers complete at least one internship or enrichment experience before graduation. In 2024, three juniors earned $8,400 each as paid interns at a Fortune 500 logistics firm.
Oakland Genesis also fosters holistic growth. Participants engage in near-daily physical activity, supported by health education and wellness resources. A growing mentorship program now pairs over 50 high school students with adult role models from sports, tech, and higher education—trusted guides who help youth set goals and navigate high school with confidence.
Survey data shows high satisfaction and deep trust: 98% of students rate their experience as “good” or “very good,” and retention exceeds 95% annually. Some alumni return as tutors, coaches, and mentors, sustaining the program’s community-rooted culture and building a pipeline of local leadership. As student Edy Chavez shared:
“Oakland Genesis has been my second family for over five years. Thanks to all my coaches’ support, I’m ready to take on college and chase my dreams. I’m forever grateful for everything they’ve done for me.”
Leadership
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Matt Fondy
Co-Executive Director and Coach
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Cody Pillon
Co-Executive Director and Coach
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Drew Williams
Academic Program Director
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Alexia “Lex” Maldonado
Director, Girls' Program
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Ronald Towns
Director of Post-High School Pathways & Academic Coach