SPORTS CHANGE LIVES. LET'S PROVE IT
The Gershfeld & Shakirov Foundation for Youth Development
We fund free volleyball programs, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities for kids who deserve a shot — no matter their zip code or bank account
OUR WHY
EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH SPORTS
Every kid has a spark. But for too many, that spark gets buried under “we can’t afford it.” At Gershfeld & Shakirov Foundation, we see the fire in every child, and we’re here to make sure nothing snuffs it out. Our mission is simple: use volleyball as a vehicle to build grit, grades, and goals. We’re here to keep kids in the game—and on track for life.
Our vision? A world where every child has access to the life lessons sports teach: teamwork, discipline, and the confidence to aim higher.
SPORTS CHANGE LIVES
Most kids quit sports by age 11 due to cost, pressure and lost interest. But research doesn’t lie:

Team sports build social skills like communication and trust

Student-athletes have 2X lower odds of developing depressive symptoms

Teens in sports report higher self-esteem and life satisfaction

Athletes are more likely to report good grades and successfully graduate
FREE NONPROFIT VOLLEYBALL TEAMS | YOUTH SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
HOW WE IGNITE CHANGE
Access to Opportunity
Every child gets to step onto the court, no matter their financial background
Building Skills for Life
Kids learn resilience during drills, teamwork in huddles, and confidence with every “You’ve got this.”
A Community of Support
We’re a family of believers, dreamers, and sideline screamers who know greatness when we see it.
Olympic-level Guidance
Exclusive clinics, workshops, and mentorship by professional athletes and Olympians.
GSI FUTURES
Meet the team changing the game! The GSI Futures volleyball team is a group of girls who are hungry to play and ready to fight for every point. These girls don’t just show up — they work hard, push each other, and believe in what they can do, together.




WHY WE EXIST
We started this foundation because we’ve seen firsthand how powerful sports and development programs can be in shaping a child’s future. We’ve watched quiet kids become captains. Seen “I can’t” turn into “Watch me.”
A team can teach more than just how to win a game—it can teach how to overcome, how to trust, how to lead, and how to believe in yourself.
Here’s the secret: This was never just about creating pro athletes. It’s about creating unstoppable humans.