SUPA Cares: Building a Legacy for Our Youth
Hello, I'm Latonya Brown, founder of SUPA Cares, and this is our story.
I recent received a written letter of support for SUPA from Mrs. Powell, whose son was a stare basketball player at a local high school here in Pittsboro, played 1 year at UNC, and was recently drafted into the NBA. What touched me the most was her struggle to find basic facilities that both her son and daughter could use on a regular basis, and how far she had to travel to find them.
For years, I've seen the same story play out in Chatham County. I've seen dedicated parents driving for hours, just to get their kids to a decent practice facility. I've seen talented young athletes trying to hone their skills in any nook or cranny they could find. And I've seen the frustration of knowing that our children, right here at home, we're missing out on opportunities such as lost college scholarships and jobs. We're seeing lowered physical and mental health outcomes for our kids. And many people are leaving the community to find better programs elsewhere simply because we lacked the proper infrastructure.
That is why I founded SUPA Cares. It was born from a simple, powerful belief: that our kids deserve better. They deserve a place to thrive.
Our Vision
Our mission goes far beyond just building a facility. SUPA Cares is dedicated to empowering youth through a holistic approach that nurtures their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The SUPA Youth SportsPlex is the heart of this mission—a 600,000-square-foot home with an indoor running facility, 9 basketball courts (convertible to volleyball and pickleball), and 2 indoor turf fields, with space in the middle for training, tutoring, and community connection.
More Than Sports
But let's talk about what really happens at SUPA. We all know sports teach teamwork and discipline. But it's so much more than that. It's about the resilience a child learns after a tough loss. It's about the confidence they build when they finally master a new skill. It's about having a safe space to channel their energy, to build friendships, and to find a sense of belonging in a world that can often feel overwhelming. In today's world, that outlet for mental and emotional health is just as important as the physical exercise.
An Ecosystem for Success
And this is where the vision for SUPA is truly different. We aren't just creating a space for sports. We are creating an ecosystem for success. We're integrating education directly into our facility, with classrooms for tutoring and mentorship programs. Because we believe an athlete's success in the classroom is just as crucial as their performance on the court.
Furthermore, we believe in investing in our children's entire world. That's why we are weaving sustainability into the very fabric of this project. Our facility will incorporate clean energy initiatives, like solar panels and EV charging stations, to launch programs that can lower energy bills and help transport kids to and from our facilities. Why? Because we can't claim to be building a future for our kids if we ignore the health of the planet they will inherit. We're teaching them to be leaders on the court and responsible stewards of our community and our environment.
This is what makes SUPA more impactful. It's not just about a game. It's about building character. It's about bridging the gap between athletics and academics. And it's about pioneering a model of community development that is both socially and environmentally conscious.
We are creating a place where a child can learn to shoot a basketball, get help with their homework, and see what a commitment to a greener future looks like—all under one roof.
This is more than a building. It's a promise to our kids. It's a commitment to our community. And it's a legacy for Chatham County.
How You Can Help
We need donations, volunteers, business support and community partnerships. Join us. Let's build it together.
Latonya Brown
Founder - SUPA Cares