⋮ John Jay Soccer - C.A.R.E.S. Initiative

The John Jay Soccer C.A.R.E.S. Initiative embodies our commitment to fostering a well-rounded approach to soccer while instilling vital values of Community, Action, Responsibility, Empathy, and Sportsmanship. This unique program focuses not only on honing athletic skills but also on nurturing individuals who understand the importance of giving back to their community.

At its essence, the initiative champions player mentoring, empowering seasoned team members to mentor younger counterparts, fostering robust relationships and valuable leadership skills. Beyond the field, our outreach extends to community involvement, supporting groups like veterans and the elderly. Through diverse programs, we aim to positively impact the East Fishkill area. Fundraising events provide active contributions, raising both funds and awareness for crucial causes. Our goal for John Jay Soccer Program members transcends the field, aspiring to instill purpose, commitment to supporting others, and a service-oriented ethos. We aim to mold well-rounded individuals who grasp the significance of giving back, fostering enduring relationships and contributing meaningfully to society through empathy, responsibility, and community service.

Mentor Programs

≡ Peer Mentoring Program

Embedded within the John Jay Soccer C.A.R.E.S. Initiative is a transformative Peer Mentoring Program, extending beyond athletic skills to forge meaningful player connections. This program aligns with crucial objectives: fostering inclusivity, promoting holistic development, and sustaining a positive team culture. Aiming for shared ownership of team culture, the mentor program, led by veterans, mitigates issues like cliques, fortifying team chemistry. The success hinges on veteran players wholeheartedly embracing mentorship, ensuring mutual understanding of expectations, fostering collaboration between mentors and mentees, and utilizing structured activities and informal talks. The mentor role demands exceptional qualities, emphasizing teamwork, integrity, a strong work ethic, coachability, and a positive attitude. Expectations for mentors include emotional support, modeling behavior, encouragement, and guidance. The mentor-mentee relationship doesn't dictate on-field success but focuses on conflict management, communication, and teamwork skills. The program envisions mutual benefits, with mentors developing skills and stronger connections, while mentees experience academic improvement, enhanced self-efficacy, and personal growth. The initiative anticipates a flourishing team and program through athlete mentorship and leadership.

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≡ Youth Soccer Mentoring Program

Additionally, the C.A.R.E.S. Initiative, beginning in January 2025, will be implementing a Youth Soccer Mentorship Program. This program is designed to connect current JV and Varsity soccer players with young soccer players within our community at the East Fishkill Soccer Club. The goal is to provide not only soccer-specific training but also to foster relationships, build role models, and strengthen community bonds through shared passion and teamwork.

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Next Steps...

Currently, the C.A.R.E.S. Initiative is in its exploration phase, aiming to collaborate closely with the Patriot Boys Soccer Booster Club to build upon the established foundations that already exist within our program and the Booster Club. We eagerly seek input and partnership to expand our repertoire of activities, aiming to create opportunities that cater to everyone interested in getting involved. We deeply value our team members, families, and esteemed alumni, recognizing their exceptional nature within our community. Nothing showcases this spirit more than our collective commitment to giving back. We warmly welcome suggestions, assistance, and diverse perspectives to ensure inclusivity and maximize our impact.

Should you have any insights, ideas, or suggestions concerning this initiative, please don't hesitate to contact Coach Horton at brendan.horton@wcsdny.org. As we delve further into the implementation of this initiative, this platform will be regularly updated to keep our cherished program families informed and engaged. Your support and involvement are invaluable as we embark on this meaningful journey together.

Events

≡ East Fishkill Town Clean-Up Day

On 3/29/25, the John Jay Soccer Program had a fantastic showing at East Fishkill Town Clean-Up Day, with our players making up one-third of the student-athlete volunteers! It was truly inspiring to see so many of our young men dedicating their time and effort to giving back to the community.

Our players' hard work made a tangible impact, and their willingness to serve reflects the core values we emphasize in our C.A.R.E.S. Initiative. Events like this highlight the importance of giving back, reinforcing that being part of John Jay Soccer is about more than just what happens on the field.

"There is no doubt that you will notice how clean the roads leading to John Jay and the campus are now, in comparison to how they were. Multiple large trash bags were filled by our dedicated student volunteers."

- Paul Albanese, John Jay Asst. Principal

Seeing our players take pride in maintaining the spaces we share shows that they understand the importance of contributing to something bigger than themselves. Whether it was picking up litter, clearing debris, or simply working together to make a difference, their efforts did not go unnoticed.

≡ Support-a-Walk | Support Connection

In 2023, the Patriot Boys Soccer Booster Club successfully raised $1,425 in support of Breast & Ovarian Cancer through their annual Support-A-Walk event held at Lime Kiln Road. This fundraiser was carried out in partnership with the esteemed Support Connection organization. Since its inception in 1996, Support Connection has been a beacon of hope, offering invaluable assistance to countless individuals affected by breast, ovarian, and other gynecological cancers. Their unwavering dedication provides a lifeline, offering crucial counseling, support groups, educational programs, and vital resource information, all provided free of charge to those in need.

Every member of Support Connection is driven by an unyielding passion for their mission. Their Peer Counselors, who are cancer survivors themselves, empathize deeply with the challenges individuals face upon receiving a cancer diagnosis. They recognize the immense value of having a supportive network during such turbulent times. It's essential to note that Support Connection relies entirely on fundraising efforts to sustain their year-round services. The Support-A-Walk event holds significant importance in enabling them to continue offering these vital resources to those navigating their cancer journey.

The Patriot Boys Soccer Booster Club's contribution is a testament to their commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Through their unwavering support and fundraising endeavors, they play a pivotal role in ensuring that Support Connection can continue its essential work in the community.

≡ JCK Foundation Team Workshop

On July 30, 2024, the John Jay Soccer Program hosted a Team Workshop with the JCK Foundation, a unique and unbelievable organization. The foundation defines its mission as: "Through educational programming, research, and advocacy, the JCK Foundation promotes mental wellness in schools, businesses and communities by opening up conversations, sharing hopeful stories of mental health resilience, and connecting people to mental health resources."

JCK Foundation founders John Tessitore and Kevin McMahon delivered a Team Workshop for the John Jay Soccer Program. The Team Workshop is "designed to communicate the core values of the JCK Foundation through the lens of team sports; giving athletes the forum to express themselves in a safe and empowering environment, tailoring the JCK message to the unique challenges and stressors faced by athletes, exploring the core tenants of team dynamics, leadership, toughness & resilience, unifying team & individual goals, among other topics which we work with each team to create." John and Kevin spent considerable time discussing the 'E' in the C.A.R.E.S. Initative: Empathy, with both Van Wyck and John Jay players.

The workshop was unbelievably well received by those who attended, who explored the concepts of things like mental health, vulnerability, and leadership, seeking to promote an atmosphere of mental wellness within our team and program community, develop coping skills and strategies specifically designed with the challenges faced by our student-athletes in mind, and maximize team and individual performance by cultivating an open and supportive atmosphere.

The John Jay Soccer Program is incredibly proud to have taken the initiative and opened the doors of communication with this fantastic organization, who are looking to provide larger, building-wide assemblies within the Wappingers Central School District beginning in the 2024-25 school year, extending their reach beyond our program, and into more young adults in our community.

≡ SHS 6v6 Soccer Tournament

Each Spring since 2018, the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Chapter of the Spanish Honor Society (La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica), in collaboration with the John Jay Soccer Program, has hosted a 6v6 Soccer Tournament to benefit local charitable organizations. The event is planned, coordinated, and executed by Spanish Honor Society Advisor and Van Wyck Junior High School Boys Soccer Coach, Sr. Louie Oliveria. The event pits co-ed John Jay High School students and teachers against one another in a World Cup style elimination tournament, for a fantastic cause!

Since its inception, the event has helped raise money for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation; an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children fighting pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers by connecting these brave children with local teams, clubs, and community groups. In 2024, in honor of Virginia 'Ginger' Gutierrez, the event extended its reach even further, partnering with LiveOnNY, whose focus is on education, engagement, advocacy, and the intricate logistical aspects of organ donation, helping to save the lives of those in need of organ transplants, and championing the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation.

Members of the John Jay Soccer family have helped support this event each year alongside Spanish Honor Society members through organizing teams to compete, refereeing the matches, donations, and volunteering to help staff the various activities needed to make the day a successful and memorable one. It is a fantastic event that features great soccer, fun, memories, and causes!

≡ Fundación Ricardo Brandón

During the week of August 12, 2024, John Jay Soccer Program rising sophomore Martin Caceres traveled to San Luis Potosí, Mexico to volunteer with the Fundación Ricardo Brandón organization.

The Ricardo Brandon Foundation is a non-profit organization that works on various issues to help disadvantaged and at risk young girls, boys and adolescents through sports, art, and cultural activities, with the purpose of developing social well-being. It also seeks to positively impact the lives of local children and young adults through a comprehensive model based on values and activities that promote both community and social change. They offer a fraternal environment conducive to learning, transmit values through sports, recreational activities and workshops, and promote habits and actions that allow their members to improve their lifestyle and develop the potential they carry within.