Mission Statement 

YALD is a sports-based youth development non-profit dedicated to empowering underserved young people with the skills and confidence to achieve their dreams and become positive forces for change in their communities. We believe that physical activity is vital for youth development, contributing to their physical, social, and emotional well-being. Using team sports as a platform, YALD engages young people aged eight to 17 in various activities, including life skills development, nutrition education, academic support, and community service. Our vision is to equip young individuals from underserved communities with resources and mentorship to succeed in both academics and sports, becoming healthy, well-rounded individuals capable of effecting positive change in their communities.

About Us

Young Adult Leadership & Development (YALD, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Washington Heights with a mission to empower youth from underserved communities through leadership, education, and sports. What began with just 24 participants, one football, and a shared dream has grown into a transformative program serving hundreds of youth each year.

Now celebrating our 15th season, YALD continues to create safe, supportive spaces where young people build character, confidence, and community. Through our flagship YALD Flag Football League (YFFL), students from junior high through college engage in structured athletic competition, leadership training, and values-based education rooted in our 11 Core Elements — including responsibility, empathy, self-regulation, teamwork, and academic excellence.

Our programming goes far beyond the field. YALD offers college and career prep, scholarships, community service events, financial literacy, health education, and meaningful mentorship. From river cleanups to food drives, and from All-Star Games to leadership workshops, we teach that true success is measured not just by wins, but by the impact we make on others.

At our core, we believe leadership is built through action, and that every young person deserves the opportunity to grow, lead, and thrive — regardless of income or background. Over 80% of our participants come from low-income households, and thanks to community partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors, all of our programs are free of charge.

YALD stands as a testament to what’s possible when youth are given a voice, a team, and a purpose.

Join us in shaping the leaders of tomorrow — one season, one lesson, and one young life at a time.

The YALD Flag Football League (YFFL) will feature 4 competitive teams taking the field every Saturday, beginning September 20th, 2025.

Before the season kicks off, our Summer Training Tournaments begin on July 19th, 2025, offering a vital player evaluation period that helps determine team placements and prepare athletes for the competition ahead.

Throughout the summer, coaches and league coordinators work together to finalize team rosters and build the official season schedule based on player availability. Practices and game times are tailored for each team to ensure a balanced and engaging season.

This year, our mid-season festivities are taking on a new look. Replacing the traditional All-Star event, YALD will host a day packed with excitement on November 1st, 2025, featuring the Skills Challenge, Annual Award Ceremony, and Family Bowl Championship Game—a day dedicated to celebrating athleticism, leadership, and community spirit.

Before that, we’ll kick off the fun with the Family Bowl Tournament on October 26th, 2025, bringing together families, alumni, and supporters for a day of friendly competition and connection.

The regular season wraps up on November 22nd, 2025, followed by our traditional Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, 2025—a YALD tradition where current and former players, coaches, and volunteers reunite through the game they love.

The excitement peaks on December 13th, 2025, when one team will rise above the rest to claim the title of 2025 YFFL Champions.

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In 2025, we’re bringing back our Youth Clinic Program for children aged 7 to 11. This 10-week program focuses on developing the fundamentals of the game while integrating the core values that make YALD unique.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn:

• Football Basics: Passing, catching, running, and flag pulling.
   
• Teamwork & Communication: Emphasizing the importance of working together and effective communication on and off the field.
   
• Leadership Skills: How to lead by example, take initiative, and encourage peers.
   
• Sportsmanship & Respect: Understanding fair play, showing respect for teammates, coaches, and opponents, and handling victories and defeats with grace.
   
• Physical Health: Building endurance, flexibility, and coordination to improve overall fitness.
   
• Mental Health Awareness: Learning the importance of emotional resilience, self-regulation, and developing a positive mindset through sports.
   
• Core Values of YALD: Responsibility, empathy, self-discipline, education, and community involvement.
   

The clinic is designed to give young athletes a solid foundation in football while instilling a sense of responsibility, community, and leadership that they can carry with them both on and off the field.

• Summer Training Begins: July 19th (Saturday)
   
• League Orientation & Uniform Handout: September 13th (Saturday)
   
• Opening Day: September 20th (Saturday)

• Family Bowl Tournament: October 26th (Sunday)

• Family Bowl Championship: November 1st (Saturday)

• Award Ceremony & Festivities: November 1st (Saturday)
   
• End of Regular Season: November 22nd (Saturday)
   
• Turkey Bowl: November 27th (Thursday – Thanksgiving)
   
• Playoffs: December 6th (Saturday)
   
• Championship Game: December 13th (Saturday)