Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaneash Donaldson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Yaneash. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Both of my parents were born in Jamaica; where soccer (football) is one of the more popular sports. My parents always preached the importance of working hard, giving to others and living a life full of love. As a child, soccer was an important part of my life. My dad coached soccer professionally, my younger brother played college & semi-pro and my mom would even jump in during our family basement scrimmages. My older sister was an athlete as well. Needless to say, the competitive spirit was alive and well in our family.
As I grew older, soccer became more than a game, it became my passion. I eventually received athletic scholarships for soccer and was fortunate to play for both Clemson University and Florida International University. Throughout my undergraduate years, I spent a lot of time trying to find my career niche. It eventually became clear to me that working with the youth and incorporating soccer would be what I consider to be the career of my dreams.
12 years after earning my first degree, I was finally able to watch the beginning stages of my dream job come to fruition, SOUL & SOLE Community Organization, was founded May 2018. For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to bridge the gap between communities and unite the youth through sports to help individuals accomplish their goals. At SOUL & SOLE, we aim to enhance the lives of student athletes by providing soccer training, academic tutoring, and college recruiting education. We want to make the game accessible for players of all levels. We also want to create opportunities for people to learn about the benefits that participating in soccer and sports in general can provide.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“It’s not an easy road… who feels it knows” – Buju Banton
Any entrepreneur and business owner can attest that the road to success is never easy. I view life as one big lesson, living and learning as I go.
I am a person that likes to give to others. My idea of a perfect world is one were money is not necessary. In order to run a successful business, financial backing is a must. Recognition of the value of the service I am providing and attaching a price tag to it was a challenge. Doing market research and keeping in mind that I want my programs to be accessible to all socioeconomic backgrounds has helped me with pricing.
As a coach and teacher you are in the service industry. Delivering quality while keeping a balanced schedule is critical. Traveling to different locations can be hectic at times. For me, realizing that you do not have to sacrifice yourself in order to please every client was one of the greatest lessons.
A goal of mine is to have a center/facility where SOUL & SOLE Community Organization can operate from. An ideal structure would include fields, classrooms and meeting areas. Having a central location would allow us to provide more than one service at a time. It would also enable us to run a variety of programs for the community.
Soul & Sole Community Organization – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
SOUL & SOLE Community Organization specializes in soccer training, academic tutoring and college recruiting guidance. As a former student-athlete and college coach, I know firsthand how important it is to incorporate all of these into any athlete’s life. By educating the youth at an early age and providing these services, we create a fun and encouraging environment where athletes can be successful.
In addition to those services, this year we hosted multiple Soccer camps and clinics. We partnered with other organizations, such as TRAINED 2 GO Soccer Academy, as well as professional players and coaches that also want develop youth soccer and provide opportunities through the game locally and worldwide.
One of my most memorable camps of the year was our Jamaica Girls Football Camp. In July 2018, we hosted a free, two-day, girls football(soccer) camp in Kingston, Jamaica. We had close to 30 participants ranging from ages 7-12. I worked with friends in Jamaica who helped to organize the facilities and communicate with participants. We had multiple guest speakers: former women’s youth and national team soccer players, a well-known local coach, a sports psychologist and women in the local community who credit sports to their current success.
At the camp we had players who were beginners and players who were more advanced. There were girls who did not have shoes and there were players fully dressed in soccer gear from head to toe. It was the perfect blend and a true representation of how sports connect people no matter the circumstances; after all the ball is still round. There were giveaways and prizes which had been graciously donated from businesses in both the USA and Jamaica. It was the epitome of community; it was beautiful. I will never forget the smiles on the players faces and determination in their eyes. I am looking forward to hosting to more camps locally and internationally.
I am so fortunate to have the encouragement and support of family, friends and community partnerships. Without the combination of them and the lessons life has taught me, none of this would be possible.
So, what should we be on the lookout for, what’s next in store for you?
This Summer we are hosting three local camps in July and August. We will be partnering with our friends from TRAINED2GO Soccer Academy. Throughout this camp we hope to inspire the boys & girls in the community to not only play soccer but hope to instill life lessons on and off the playing field.
I am looking forward to hosting more free all girls camps throughout the Miami community and also abroad in countries such as Jamaica.
In addition, I plan on working with local schools by providing soccer training programs as well as hosting seminars which will educate people about the college recruiting process.
An ultimate goal is to have a centralized center/home for SOUL & SOLE Community Organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soul-sole.com
- Phone: 786-490-6007
- Email: hello@soul-sole.com
- Instagram: @soulandsoleig
- Facebook: @soulandsole
Image Credit:
Images captured by SOUL & SOLE Community Organization, Wellesley Watson & Elizabeth Durozel
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