THE TURTLE ATHLETIC FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) WAS CREATED WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING MENTORSHIP TO YOUNG STUDENTS IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES (MARYLAND, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND VIRGINIA). THROUGH THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION, INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDENT-ATHLETES PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE, TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH (OFTEN AT RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS), THE BENEFITS OF REMAINING DEDICATED TO, AND FOCUSED ON, THE IMPORTANCE OF A QUALITY EDUCATION. THE INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDENT-ATHLETES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE YOUTH IN THESE COMMUNITIES BY SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES AND BEING MENTORS TO THEM. THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES AND SEEKS TO CAPITALIZE ON THE UNIQUE AND POWERFUL IMPACT THAT INTERCOLLEGIATE STUDENT-ATHLETES CAN HAVE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF STUDENT-ATHLETES WHO COME FROM SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS AND HAVE FACED SIMILAR CHALLENGES AS THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH THEY ARE ENGAGING AND MENTORING.