For Jake Schmier and Lucas Grodner, students at North Broward Preparatory School, sports have always been about more than competition. They are a way to build relationships, strengthen communities, and help young people discover their potential. As mentors in Fuller Center’s afterschool program, the pair have dedicated countless hours to teaching students the ins and outs of sports while providing the encouragement, guidance, and support that help children grow both on and off the field. When young people are given the resources, encouragement, and support they need, they can reach their full potential.
Their commitment to Fuller Center students recently earned recognition through the International Baccalaureate Global Youth Action Fund, which awarded them a $2,500 grant for their efforts to create positive social change through sports and mentorship. Alongside this grant, Jake and Lucas donated approximately 100 pieces of sporting equipment, expanding opportunities for children to stay active, build confidence, and develop important life skills through recreation and teamwork.
“Mentoring at Fuller has shown me how powerful sports can be in bringing people together, building friendships, and creating lasting relationships,” Jake said. “I love being able to share my passion for sports with the kids while helping them grow and learning from them along the way.”
Their efforts are part of a larger network of support of mentors and volunteers that help Fuller Center students thrive. From reading with preschoolers and assisting in classrooms to supporting special events and mentoring students, volunteers helped create meaningful opportunities for growth and connection.
Financially supported by the United Way of Palm Beach County, Fuller Center’s mentorship program pairs each mentor with two to three students on average and requires a commitment of at least four hours per month. Mentors tailor their programs to their skills and students’ needs, offering activities such as tutoring, athletics, coding, STEM and so much more. Each mentorship looks different based on the mentor’s skills and the students’ needs, allowing for an individualized approach within the program’s structure.
Alongside Fuller Center staff, mentors provide encouragement, academic support, and guidance that help students build the confidence to succeed. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, students take part in group mentoring sessions that promote teamwork, social-emotional development, and peer connection. For Jake and Lucas, sports have become a powerful tool for fostering those connections.
“Mentoring the kids at Fuller has taught me how meaningful simply showing up for someone can be,” he said. “My favorite part has been building relationships with the kids and watching their confidence grow.”
That dedication has not gone unnoticed. In July 2026, Jake was honored as Fuller Center’s Mentor of the Year during the organization’s annual Legacy Birthday Awards, recognizing his commitment to helping students grow both on and off the field.
Yet for Jake, the recognition belongs as much to the students as it does to him.
“Sports can be a way to bring people together,” he said. “The relationships that come from it are what really matter.”
According to Eric Roby, CEO of Fuller Center, mentors like Jake and Lucas are an important extension of the organization’s mission to empower children and families through high-quality education and support.
“At Fuller Center, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality educational experiences and the resources they need to reach their full potential,” said Roby. Mentors like Jake and Lucas help bring that vision to life by providing encouragement, valuable life lessons, and opportunities for growth that extend far beyond the classroom. Their dedication is another important way Fuller Center empowers students to build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop the skills they need to succeed.”
The sporting equipment donated, along with the money from the grant, will create new opportunities for Fuller Center students for years to come. But the equipment itself is only part of the story.
The greater impact is found in the example Jake and Lucas set every time they show up for a student, offer encouragement after a difficult day, or celebrate a hard-earned success. Those moments of consistency and connection are what inspire confidence and foster growth.
As Lucas looks ahead to another year of mentoring, it is those relationships that continue to motivate him.
“I’m excited to continue those relationships and make an even bigger impact this year,” he said.
Together, Jake and Lucas demonstrate that mentorship is about far more than teaching a sport. It is about helping young people recognize their potential, believe in themselves, and discover what is possible when a caring adult is willing to invest in their future.
