• Meet our Fall Coach Mentors!

    Our leadership model is built around creating real pathways for young people who grow up in our programs to step into leadership roles. Many begin as volunteer Junior Coaches, then move into paid roles as Summer Coach Mentors, and eventually become Coach Mentors for their own travel teams!

Melissa Cartagena

Melissa Cartagena

Sr. Coach Mentor, Former Player & More!

Why Melissa coaches: “I coach because it’s rewarding to see players grow and develop their love for the game. My own coaches inspired me to give back in the same way.”

Donovan Guzman

Donovan Guzman

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Donovan coaches: “I like to coach Lawrence’s youth because it reminds me of my days practicing with Beyond.”

Issandel Feliciano

Issandel Feliciano

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Issandel coaches: “I love to see my players improve using things I teach them and apply those skills in games and in school.”

Katherine Facenda

Katherine Facenda

Sr. Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Katherine coaches: “It allows me to help others grow and become a better version of themselves and to see the progress athletes make.”

Ashley Hernandez

Ashley Hernandez

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Ashley coaches: “It makes me feel complete knowing I contribute to the growth of young athletes. I want to be the female role model in soccer that I wished I had growing up.”

Diego Porres

Diego Porres

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Diego coaches: “I coach because it’s fun, but also because it allows me to help the next generation grow and learn just as my mentors did for me."

Bruce Costa

Bruce Costa

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Bruce coaches: "I coach because I’ve got to sow my time, talent and treasure like the Bible says. I want kids to experience the joy of soccer, for them to fell the responsibility, of being on a team and to provide a safe place for them to have fun."

Jordyn Martis

Jordyn Martis

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Jordyn coaches: “I coach soccer to give young girls the same opportunities, experiences and love for the game that I was fortunate enough to have growing up."

Issabella Rodrigez

Issabella Rodrigez

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Jordyn coaches: “I want to coach because I want to inspire girls so they can play sports and be tough too, all while having fun as well."

Lynnette Custodio

Lynnette Custodio

Coach Mentor & Current Player

Why Lynnette coaches: “I want to coach because I want to inspire girls so they can play sports and be tough too, all while having fun as well."

Angelito Hernandez

Angelito Hernandez

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Angelito coaches: “I want to coach because I want to inspire girls so they can play sports and be tough too, all while having fun as well."

Ethan Rodriguez

Ethan Rodriguez

Coach Mentor & Former Player

Why Angelito coaches: “I want to coach because I want to inspire girls so they can play sports and be tough too, all while having fun as well."

Our on– and off-field leadership focus includes Junior Coach roles that lead to paid Summer Coach Mentor roles and, eventually, Coach Mentor opportunities. This year-round approach to leadership development is especially visible during the summer months, a tradition that began more than 15 years ago with our first Soccer & Wellness Camp. The photo here shows a group of Summer Coach Mentors getting ready at 6:30 a.m. for our annual Soccer & Wellness Camp.

  • Jr Coach Mentors

    Beyond Soccer participants can begin as early as age 12 as Junior Coach Mentors. This entry-level role is volunteer-based and includes additional service opportunities, along with a planned 4–6 week leadership development experience for middle school youth through age 14.

  • Last Summer

    In summer 2026, 17 local teens and young adults were hired across our summer programs. In addition, 6 younger participants served as Junior Coach Mentors, the first step in our youth jobs pipeline and an early introduction to mentorship, teamwork, and personal growth.

  • What did they do?

    From July 1 through August 13, they delivered a robust summer schedule across 34 program days, benefiting 454 Lawrence youth. Together, they ran 208 hours of programming across Lawrence!

  • Youth Wages

    Across these roles, Beyond Soccer leveraged more than $50,000 in summertime wages for youth workers, investing directly in young leaders from our community.

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