2026-03-16T13:05:05-07:00 2025-12-31 990EZ 2025-01-01 333164357 Community Hub for Academic and Mentorship Programs COMM 6179496430 157 Princeton Street Unit 1 East Boston MA 02128 Zhanea Nicholson Founder/Executive Director 6179496430 2026-03-14 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X X X X X 6513 X 3944 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2569 6513 0 0 0 0 0 0 5552 5552 961 0 0 961 0 961 0 0 0 0 0 961 0 0 0 961 Our mission is to empower children to excel academically, build social skills, and improve in baseball through programs that promote teamwork, resilience, and inclusivity, helping them grow as confident, compassionate individuals ready to succeed in all areas of life. Provided youth athletes with competitive baseball opportunities that extend beyond local play, while reinforcing academic excellence, character development, mentorship, team bonding and leadership skills, as well as social and cultural competence.Many young athletes-particularly those from underserved communities-face limited access to high-level competition, positive mentorship, and structured developmental pathways in sports. Financial barriers, lack of exposure, and insufficient academic support can prevent talented players from reaching their full potential both on and off the field. Without intentional programming, sports participation alone does not always translate into long-term educational or personal growth outcomes. Programs included: 1) Food Drive-A community service initiative designed to teach youth athletes the value of service, leadership, and social responsibility while directly supporting families in need. Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many families, particularly during the holiday season when financial strain often increases. Limited access to nutritious food impacts children's physical health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Many local families face difficult choices between essential expenses such as housing, utilities, and groceries.The goal of the CHAMPS November Food Drive is twofold: to provide tangible support to families experiencing food insecurity and to cultivate a spirit of compassion and civic engagement in youth participants. By organizing, promoting, and contributing to the food drive, CHAMPS athletes learn the importance of giving back, understanding community needs, and using their platform as student-athletes to create meaningful impact beyond the baseball field. 2) Toy Drive A holiday community outreach initiative that engages youth athletes in spreading joy and providing support to children and families during the winter season. During the holiday season, many families experience financial hardship that makes it difficult to provide gifts for their children. Economic instability, rising living costs, and unexpected expenses can create emotional stress for families and limit opportunities for children to experience the joy and celebration often associated with the holidays. This disparity can impact a child's sense of inclusion, confidence, and overall well-being. The goal of the CHAMPS December Toy Drive is to promote equity, compassion, and community connection by ensuring children in need experience the joy of the holiday season. Through collecting, organizing, and distributing toys, CHAMPS athletes develop empathy, leadership, and a deeper understanding of service. The program reinforces the organization's commitment to building well-rounded student-athletes who excel not only in sports and academics, but also as responsible, community-minded leaders. 3)Grove Hall Nutrition Event A community-centered outreach initiative designed to promote health awareness, family wellness, and youth engagement through education, resources, and active participation. Communities such as Grove Hall in Boston often experience health disparities, including limited access to preventative care, wellness education, and affordable health resources. Systemic inequities can contribute to higher rates of chronic illness, reduced access to recreational programming, and gaps in health literacy. Families may face barriers such as cost, transportation, or lack of information that prevent them from accessing vital health services and screenings. The goal of the CHAMPS Grove Hall Family Health Event was to increase access to health information and resources while fostering a culture of wellness within the community. By bringing families together for health education, community partnerships, and youth-centered activities, CHAMPS reinforced its commitment to supporting the whole child and the whole family. The event also provided youth athletes with opportunities to engage in community leadership, demonstrating that being a champion extends beyond the field to promoting healthy, thriving communities. 0 Healthy snacks, Family health education, cooling cloths, bubbles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, oralhealth education August 15, 2025 Boston Residents Stop & Shop, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Annual 4) Everybody Eats Family Cookout A community-building outreach initiative focused on food access, connection, and collective care. The event brought families together in a welcoming environment where meals, resources, and fellowship were shared without barriers. Many families experience food insecurity, social isolation, and limited access to safe, community-centered spaces for connection. Rising food costs and economic pressures can make it difficult for households to consistently access nutritious meals, particularly during the summer months when school-based meal programs may not be available. Beyond food access, communities benefit from intentional gatherings that strengthen relationships and reinforce a sense of belonging. The goal of the CHAMPS "Everybody Eats" Family Cookout was to ensure that every family had access to a quality meal while fostering unity, dignity, and inclusion. By creating an open, welcoming event where everyone was invited to eat and connect, CHAMPS reinforced its commitment to service, equity, and community empowerment. The cookout also provided youth participants with opportunities to serve, lead, and engage meaningfully with their community-demonstrating that true champions show up for others both on and off the field. 5)Nothing's Impossible League An inclusive baseball collaboration that paired CHAMPS athletes with players from the Waltham Challengers Nothing's Impossible League, a special needs baseball program designed to ensure that athletes of all abilities have the opportunity to play and thrive. Athletes with special needs often face limited access to inclusive recreational programming and meaningful peer integration within sports environments. Social barriers, lack of adaptive opportunities, and misconceptions about ability can lead to isolation and reduced opportunities for confidence-building participation. At the same time, youth athletes without disabilities may have limited exposure to inclusive leadership experiences that cultivate empathy, understanding, and advocacy. The goal of the CHAMPS partnership with the Waltham Challengers Nothing's Impossible League was to promote inclusion, mentorship, and community connection through the game of baseball. By pairing CHAMPS players with athletes from the league, the program created shared experiences rooted in teamwork, encouragement, and mutual respect. CHAMPS athletes served as mentors and teammates-reinforcing that leadership means uplifting others-while ensuring that every participant experienced the joy, dignity, and belonging that sports can provide. This initiative reflects CHAMPS' commitment to developing not only skilled athletes, but compassionate leaders who understand that true champions make the game accessible to everyone. 0 2983 2983 Zhanea Nicholson Executive Director 40 0 Justine Sheffield Information Navigator 5 0 Leo Fonseca Chief Operating Officer 2 0 Aneury Tavarez Board Member 2 0 Sarah Michaels Board Member 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MA Zhanea Arlette Nicholson 157 Princeton Street Unit 1 East Boston MA 02128 6179496430 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NONE NONE 1 X 3944 3944 0 0 0 0 3944 3944 3944 0 0 0 0 3944 3944 1 0 0 0 X Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 8 In Kind Contributions Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16 Lodging:692, Banking Fees:210, Community contribution:77, Equipment:43, Event Deposit:150, Event Equipment:31, Food:750, Player Voucher:865, Transportation:150, In kind expense:2569