CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) — A Clovis entrepreneur is using his passion for soccer to help children access sports opportunities, regardless of where they live.
During Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month, Jesus Garcia was recognized for his work as the founder and CEO of High Performance Academy, an organization focused on youth development through sports.
“Started with just a bag of balls, I was out working at public parks, our local community stores, working with kids, doing private training, just in soccer, and had this big dream that, how can we impact and give kids more access,” Garcia said.
Garcia said his goal extends beyond teaching soccer skills.
“We are here to develop humans. How to be a good, good community member. How to communicate, how to do teamwork, how to also care for others,” Garcia said.
He added, “Also, when things get difficult, how do you respond? And not everything is going to be given to you. You’re going to lose a lot.”
Those who work with Garcia say his commitment to young people is evident.
“You can tell he’s in it for the kids and just the students in general because, the way he connects with them, it talks to them,” said Aaron Alvarado, expanded learning coordinator at Ayer Elementary.
Young athletes also say the program has helped them pursue their goals.
“I want to be in the World Cup one day. I learned lots of skills here and I just thought if I kept on coming here I would become a professional at it,” said soccer player Peyton Seheitt.
Seheitt said the program has taught lessons both on and off the field.
“You work together and you pass and keep contact with the person and stay open. You can pass it and score lots of goals,” Seheitt said.
Garcia played soccer at Fresno City College and with Fresno Fuego. He says High Performance Academy has served more than 20,000 children. Garcia also created the Project Athletes Foundation, which aims to connect children from low-income families with equipment and scholarships.
Alvarado said the organization provides opportunities for students in southeast Fresno.
“For us, specifically at Ayer we are Southeast Fresno. A lot of our students don’t receive a lot of opportunities outside of the school day,” Alvarado said. “So we want to make sure we how do we bring those students in with us.”
He added, “And so they bring a lot of cool, amazing things with our kids. But not just that. We also collaborate with them during the intersession. So winter camps and summer camps, those are actually free for the students.”
Garcia said his own background shaped his belief in the power of sports.
“It’s in our blood. I mean, that coming up in a Hispanic family, like soccer is a permanent sport. I was I was a byproduct of sports, went to camps went to after school programs,” Garcia said.
“I also know what it felt to like English was a second language to me. So there is a language barrier and gap. But sports was like a universal language. It allowed me to connect.”
Garcia said young people can succeed regardless of where they begin.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what resources you start. We’re in charge of shaping our own destination and success and just keep thriving,” he said.
High Performance Academy also connects children with other sports including flag football and T-ball.
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