Our Story

Athletes without Barriers started as an idea from a young athlete. He saw that many of the athletes struggled in both athletics and education. He was interested to learn the cause of these players' troubles. After paying attention to the difficulties his peers experienced, he started to make connections and learned that the players had a multitude of adversities to overcome.

It became clear to him that there needed to be a solution for the benefit of his peers. Although he thought the solution was simple, nothing like it had already existed in the community; thus, Athletes Without Barriers (AWB) was born.

Our Mission Statement

At Athletes without Barriers, we are dedicated to igniting positive change in the lives of young athletes hailing from inner-city and underserved neighborhoods.

Our mission is to create a nurturing and holistic environment that empowers the youth to reach their full potential both in the classroom and on the athletic field.

Our Vision

We envision a future where every student-athlete, regardless of their background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive academically, emotionally, and athletically. We see a community where dreams are nurtured, self-confidence soars, and futures are transformed.

Why we do what we do

Coaches understand that kids need coaching not only on the field but also off the field. Our volunteers will not only serve as an example in sports, but will serve as a mentor for the life outside of sports.

Services we Facilitate

academic tutoring

Academic Tutoring

We provide tailored academic support to ensure that every young athlete can achieve their educational goals and unlock a world of opportunities.

mental health

Mental Health

We prioritize the emotional well-being of our athletes by offering access to professional counseling and guidance, helping them navigate the challenges they face.

recreational sports

Recreational Sports

Through engaging and organized sports activities, we promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, fostering essential life skills both on and off the playing field.

Our Values

Inclusivity

We embrace diversity and cultivate an inclusive environment where every young athlete feels valued, respected, and heard.

Excellence

We are committed to providing top-tier academic tutoring, mental health support, and recreational sports opportunities, striving for excellence in all that we do.

Empowerment

We believe in equipping young athletes with the tools they need to overcome challenges, make informed decisions, and become leaders both on and off the field.

Community

We foster a sense of belonging, encouraging collaboration among athletes, families, volunteers, and partners to create a united community that supports and uplifts each other.

Integrity

We operate with transparency, accountability, and honesty, ensuring that the resources entrusted to us are used effectively to maximize our impact.

Our Impact

Through our comprehensive approach, we aim to:
  • Improve academic performance and increase graduation rates.
  • Enhance mental resilience, promoting emotional growth and well-being.
  • Instill qualities of leadership, teamwork, and discipline through recreational sports.
  • Create a ripple effect of positive change, transforming communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Our Team

Luis Molina Jr

is a student at Morris Knolls High School who co-founded this project. He is a young student-athlete who hopes to inspire like-minded students to reach their full potential on and off the field.

Alec McKinney

is a student at Morris Knolls High School who co-founded this project with Luis Molina. He wishes to help fellow student athletes who may not have access to the resources necessary to reach their full potential, both in the classroom, and on the field.

Luis Molina Sr

Is the president of Athletes Without Barriers. Through his expertise and leadership, he works with student-athletes to reach their goals.

Thomas McKinney

is part of the board for Athletes Without Barriers. He strives to transform the accessibility of services to underserved populations.

Lexa Moreno

serves as the Executive Director of the Human Resources and Finance Department of the Family Empowerment Group.

Carlos Storck-Martinez

is a Licensed Social Worker who serves as the Executive Director of Operations Family Empowerment Associates. He is a key part of our liaison with our Mental Health Services.

Our Community Partners

The Family Empowerment Associates

FEA's partnership with AWB has significantly enhanced our organization's ability to address the mental health needs of our clients. AWB's expertise in sport-based activity provides a unique and effective approach to mental health support.

Join us in our mission to provide young athletes in inner-city and underserved neighborhoods with the support they need to excel, both as individuals and as part of a thriving community. Together, we can build a brighter future, one athlete at a time.

Contact Us

    Our Story

    Athletes without Barriers started as an idea from a young athlete. He saw that many of the athletes struggled in both athletics and education. He was interested to learn the cause of these players' troubles. After paying attention to the difficulties his peers experienced, he started to make connections and learned that the players had a multitude of adversities to overcome.
    It became clear to him that there needed to be a solution for the benefit of his peers. Although he thought the solution was simple, nothing like it had already existed in the community; thus, Athletes Without Barriers (AWB) was born.

    Our Mission Statement

    At Athletes without Barriers, we are dedicated to igniting positive change in the lives of young athletes hailing from inner-city and underserved neighborhoods
    Our mission is to create a nurturing and holistic environment that empowers the youth to reach their full potential both in the classroom and on the athletic field.

    Our Vision

    We envision a future where every student-athlete, regardless of their background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive academically, emotionally, and athletically. We see a community where dreams are nurtured, self-confidence soars, and futures are transformed.

    Why we do what we do

    Coaches understand that kids need coaching not only on the field but also off the field. Our volunteers will not only serve as an example in sports, but will serve as a mentor for the life outside of sports.

    Services we Facilitate

    academic tutoring

    Academic Tutoring

    We provide tailored academic support to ensure that every young athlete can achieve their educational goals and unlock a world of opportunities.

    mental health

    Mental Health

    We prioritize the emotional well-being of our athletes by offering access to professional counseling and guidance, helping them navigate the challenges they face.

    recreational sports

    Recreational Sports

    Through engaging and organized sports activities, we promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship, fostering essential life skills both on and off the playing field.

    Our Values

    Inclusivity

    We embrace diversity and cultivate an inclusive environment where every young athlete feels valued, respected, and heard.

    Excellence

    We are committed to providing top-tier academic tutoring, mental health support, and recreational sports opportunities, striving for excellence in all that we do.

    Empowerment

    We believe in equipping young athletes with the tools they need to overcome challenges, make informed decisions, and become leaders both on and off the field.

    Community

    We foster a sense of belonging, encouraging collaboration among athletes, families, volunteers, and partners to create a united community that supports and uplifts each other.

    Integrity

    We operate with transparency, accountability, and honesty, ensuring that the resources entrusted to us are used effectively to maximize our impact.

    Our Impact

    Through our comprehensive approach, we aim to:
    • Improve academic performance and increase graduation rates.
    • Enhance mental resilience, promoting emotional growth and well-being.
    • Instill qualities of leadership, teamwork, and discipline through recreational sports.
    • Create a ripple effect of positive change, transforming communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

    Our Team

    Luis Molina Jr

    is a student at Morris Knolls High School who co-founded this project. He is a young student-athlete who hopes to inspire like-minded students to reach their full potential on and off the field.

    Alec McKinney

    is a student at Morris Knolls High School who co-founded this project with Luis Molina. He wishes to help fellow student athletes who may not have access to the resources necessary to reach their full potential, both in the classroom, and on the field.

    Luis Molina Sr

    Is the president of Athletes Without Barriers. Through his expertise and leadership, he works with student-athletes to reach their goals.

    Thomas McKinney

    is part of the board for Athletes Without Barriers. He strives to transform the accessibility of services to underserved populations.

    Lexa Moreno

    serves as the Executive Director of the Human Resources and Finance Department of the Family Empowerment Group.

    Carlos Storck-Martinez

    is a Licensed Social Worker who serves as the Executive Director of Operations Family Empowerment Associates. He is a key part of our liaison with our Mental Health Services.

    Our Community Partners

    The Family Empowerment Associates

    FEA's partnership with AWB has significantly enhanced our organization's ability to address the mental health needs of our clients. AWB's expertise in sport-based activity provides a unique and effective approach to mental health support.

    Join us in our mission to provide young athletes in inner-city and underserved neighborhoods with the support they need to excel, both as individuals and as part of a thriving community. Together, we can build a brighter future, one athlete at a time.

    Contact Us