OUR COMMUNITY
THE NEED BEHIND
THE MISSION.
Source-backed community context helps explain why access, mentorship and participation support matter for young people and families around our Phoenix home.
PHOENIX ZIP 85019
A young community under economic pressure.
Old School Boxing Youth Foundation is located at 3616 W. Thomas Rd. in Phoenix's 85019 community. The 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates show a comparatively young population and several indicators of economic constraint.
Important context: these figures describe ZIP 85019, where OSBYF is based. They help explain conditions in the Foundation's immediate community but do not imply that every OSBYF participant lives in 85019 or shares the same circumstances.
WHY IT MATTERS
Youth sports have costs beyond practice.
For families balancing housing, food, transportation and other necessities, the added costs of organized youth sports can become meaningful barriers. Gloves, protective equipment, footwear, registration fees and travel can all determine whether a young person is able to participate consistently.
Housing pressure adds to that challenge. The Foundation's Community Financial & Youth Needs Profile notes that 47.9% of renters in 85019 are housing-cost burdened. It also cites Maricopa County's 2024 Community Needs Assessment, which reports that rents increased nearly 40% since 2019 and that fewer than 9% of county rents were below $1,000 by 2023.
Participation costs can include
- Boxing gloves and protective gear
- Athletic shoes and training clothing
- Registration and competition fees
- Transportation and selected travel costs
- Replacement equipment as youth grow
HOW OSBYF RESPONDS
Access, structure and people who show up.
OSBYF responds through structured boxing and physical fitness programming, mentorship, equipment assistance and opportunities to participate and compete. Our goal is to reduce practical barriers while helping young people build discipline, confidence, accountability, resilience and healthy habits.
Structured training creates consistency, movement and measurable goals.
Coaches and adult mentors reinforce accountability, resilience and belonging.
Direct support can reduce the cost of gloves, gear and other participation needs.
Competition and program pathways help young athletes stay engaged and progress.
SOURCE-BACKED PROFILE
Review the full community needs profile.
The one-page profile brings the key 85019 indicators, Phoenix metro comparisons, youth participation context and source list together in a format designed for funders, partners and community stakeholders.
Download Community Needs Profile (PDF)Source attribution: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, via Census Reporter for ZIP 85019 and the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metro area; CensusEasy housing-cost-burden indicators based on ACS 2024 5-year data; Maricopa County Human Services Department, CAP Community Needs Assessment 2024; Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Community Health Needs Assessment resources.