About US
What is FYR?
Forging Youth Resilience (FYR) is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Local Clubs in cities across the country. Our clubs partner with fitness facilities nationwide to bring fitness, nutrition, and mentorship to youth who otherwise would not have access to these services.
Our Values
All FYR athletes, coaches, and volunteers strive to live by our GRIT values. We use them to guide our actions and create the positive environment we envision.
Our Mission
FYR empowers young people to build physical and mental strength for life by providing access to a network of community-based fitness programs and mentorship.
Our Vision
A world where all young people feel strong, capable, and confident to become the best version of themselves.
GRIT
Growth – Rebound from challenges, keep learning, and strive to be your best
Respect – Treat everyone well, value and accept yourself and others where they are
Integrity – Do the right thing, commit to excellence, and be a role model for others
Teamwork – Encourage and motivate others, collaborate, and give back
Who Do we Serve?
At FYR, we serve youth who may be facing challenges or would not otherwise have access to the services we provide. This may include:
- Youth coming from under-resourced families or neighborhoods
- Youth out-of-school, including youth out-of-school facing unemployment
- Youth in or aging out of foster care
- Youth experiencing homelessness
- Youth who may need an alternative pathway educational environment (at-risk to leave secondary school without a diploma)
- Youth who are involved in the justice system
- Youth experiencing environmental factors that put their health, safety, and well-being at risk
- Youth facing socio-emotional challenges exacerbated by being part of an under-resourced environment
Why Do we Exist?
We believe in the next generation and their potential to change the world. Yet many youth do not have the same access to resources as others. Without access to resources, it’s often hard to see the bigger picture or the path forward.
By providing a critical network of support and imperative skills, we help empower our athletes to tackle the challenges and continued barriers they face outside of our program. Through a foundation of functional fitness and strength training, we open their eyes to new perspectives by challenging their limits. We support them in setting goals and breaking them.
Most importantly, we help them realize they are strong and capable while giving them the confidence to grow into adulthood.
Our History
Our Team
Youth Advisory Committee
Grace
Co-Chair
Nashville Member
Tatyana
Co-Chair
Fearless Athletics Member
Ezra
Committee Member
Denver Alumnus
Gabbie
Committee Member
Camden Alumna
Juwan
Committee Member
Nashville Member
Kyra
Committee Member
Nashville Member
Paa
Committee Member
Nashville Member
Ray
Committee Member
Denver Alumnus
Sapjah
Committee Member
Camden Member
Shekinah
Committee Member
Nashville Member
Staff
Ratih Sutrisno
Director of Communications and Interim Director of Development
ratih@forgingyouth.org
Christina Kampf
Director of Programs
christina@forgingyouth.org
Sarah Vanier
Community Engagement Manager
sarah@forgingyouth.org
Board of Directors
Duncan Seawell, Psy.D.
President
Child & Adolescent Psychologist; Founder of FYR Denver
Alida Sholl
Vice President
Ecommerce Consultant
Kenneth Ho
Treasurer
Principal at Westside Investment Partners
Carri Burgjohann
Secretary
Director of Child Protection and Safety at the YMCA-USA
Mason Alberts
Board Member
Director of Development at North Carolina Community Foundation
Avonte Campinha-Bacote
Board Member
General Counsel at Oura
Jason Burns
Board Member
Owner Mettle Fitness, Former NFL Player
Mike Cassidy
Board Member
Chief Operating Officer, YMCA of the East Bay
Mike Giardina
Board Member
Sr. Manager of Health Education at CrossFit, LLC.
Jennifer Hunter-Marshall
Board Member
Co-Owner CrossFit Garden City; CrossFit HQ Seminar Staff
Lee Knight
Board Member
Co-Founder of FYR; COO at Synthesis, a Leadership Assessment Company
Lawrence Shagrin
Board Member
Private Equity – Partner