What We Do

LGYS.org - La Gente Youth Sports
2804 E.12th Street - T.719.542.3766 - F.719.542.3471

Mission: To create a positive lifestyle through sports and education, especially for those in need of opportunity

Mission: To Create a Positive Lifestyle Through Sports and Education for all Youth, Especially Those in Need of Opportunity

What We Do

La Gente Youth Sport * Est:1976

What We Do: La Gente Youth Sports, Inc. is a tax exempt nonprofit organization that serves low-to moderate-income youth in Pueblo, Colorado. The sports program, which started in 1976, has grown to offer wrestling, football, softball, baseball, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer. Furthermore, the organization hosts numerous events such as the annual fishing derby, which is free to all youth.

La Gente provides the sports teams and league activities and all equipment necessary and no youth is ever turned away because his or her family does not have the money for uniforms, equipment, fees or the other cost of sports activities! Therefore we offer many scholarship opportunities.

In 2004, La Gente opened the La Gente Youth Center, the center offers after school and summer recreational programs. The community center gives the youth a chance to experience educational programs to help with home work, the youth can search the Internet, play pool or foosball, and participate in arts and crafts activities. The recreation center located in Eastwood Heights or passionately referred to as “Dog Patch.” Eastwood Heights is Pueblo’s most poverty stricken neighborhood, yet through the efforts of the programs, kids are kept off the streets and live more positive lifestyles.

Juan Madrid (1952-2003) Founder of La Gente Youth Sports

Juan Madrid was the driving force behind La Gente Youth Sports. He grew up on Pueblo's Eastside, a heavily Chicano neighborhood strong in its family values but relatively poor in resources, especially for the youth. Returning from service in our nations military. he and his wife Elaine built their home in Eastwood Heights. or what is known as Dogpatch barrio, where they raised seven children. Juan and a core of dedicated volunteers organized teams of youngsters for T-Ball, Softball, Baseball, and Basketball and even brought other kids together for sports like Wrestling. Taking advantage of generous offers from private businesses and public officials, La Gente Youth Sports finds a way to field teams every year and to show the youth a world outside of there neighborhoods. Over the years, La Gente Youth Sports has strived to fulfill Juan's dream of providing opportunity to every youngster who wants to take part in sports and do something good for him or her. We at La Gente Youth Sports will continue the work begun by Juan Madrid, the man, the myth, and ultimately the Legend.

Thank You for support of La Gente Youth Sports!