OUR STORY
Built on the Field. Built for Life.
HOW WE STARTED
Founded in 2017 with Purpose
Football for Life was formed in 2017 in direct response to the epidemic of youth suicides on Native American Reservations. We saw a crisis — and we believed sports could be part of the answer.
The Football for Life group is comprised of former coaches and players who know from personal experience the vital impact youth sports can have. Participation in football teaches shared vision, high-performing teamwork, and the tools to successfully transition to adulthood.
Our programs emphasize team building, goal setting, accountability, hard work, facing challenges, and resilience — skills that last a lifetime.
“We just want to give the kids the opportunity to go to a good quality camp like ours. Where we’re from, you could go to one of these camps every weekend. The kids just don’t have that here, so we want to make sure that these kids have that opportunity.” — Joe Pina, Football for Life Founder
2017 | Year Founded
FREE | Camps for Youth
100% | Native Youth Served
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our Core Values
Every camp, every coaching session, every dollar raised is grounded in these principles.
Team Building
Learning to work toward a shared goal is a skill that carries into every area of life.
Goal Setting
We help youth identify targets, build plans, and develop the discipline to see them through.
Accountability
Owning your actions — on and off the field — is the foundation of character.
Resilience
Facing hard challenges prepares young athletes to handle whatever life brings.
Education
Academics and athletics go hand in hand. We encourage excellence in the classroom too.
Equal Opportunity
Native youth deserve the same opportunities as every other young person in America.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
What Your Support Provides
Through generous donations, Football for Life has delivered real, tangible resources directly to Native youth and their schools.
- Free football camps for elementary & high school students
- New football uniforms for student athletes
- New protective equipment
- Scoreboard refurbishment at partner schools
- Team apparel for coaches, players, and managers
- Eye exams in collaboration with Walking Shield & OneSight
- School library restoration assistance
- College assistance for student athletes
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Voices from the Field
“Thank you for everything you have done for us. From the first day I met you, you guys changed me. You raised my confidence and we did things that I thought were impossible. I’m thankful for you and all our coaches for believing in us and supporting us.”
Daryl “DJ” Vitalis
Pine Ridge Player
“Football for Life gave my coaching staff the technology and organizational structure that took the Pine Ridge Thorpes to the next level. Their dedication to our student athletes was greatly appreciated. I wish someone would have done this for the Thorpes 15 years ago.”
Sam Bravo
Head Coach, Pine Ridge High School
OUR NONPROFIT HOME
A Program of Walking Shield, Inc.
Football for Life operates as a program of Walking Shield, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been serving American Indian families since 1986. Walking Shield’s mission is to improve the quality of life for American Indian families through shelter, healthcare, community development, educational assistance, and humanitarian aid.
All donations made to Football for Life are fully tax-deductible through Walking Shield, Inc. Walking Shield holds a 96% rating on Charity Navigator.
Walking Shield, Inc. · 3100 Airway Ave #118, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 · walkingshield.org
Ready to Make a Difference?
Your donation helps us bring free camps, equipment, and life skills to Native youth who need it most.