Not long after moving into his house on the Westside of Buffalo, August Finn was faced with a reality he couldn't ignore. Across from his home was a cycle of poverty, addiction, and neglect — and one day, he saw a young Sudanese teenager caught up in it. That moment changed everything.
August imagined that teenager's parents — surviving war and genocide in Darfur, living in refugee camps, and finally making it to America with the hope that their children would have a better life. Seeing that hope unravel on a Buffalo street corner was unacceptable to him.
“Kids need support. They need opportunities. They need people who believe in them before they believe in themselves.”
That belief became Buffalo Sports Project — a free sports program for kids in the City of Buffalo, focused on mentorship, self-expression, and community. Leaning on positive people in our community to guide the next generation. Here is how the first year unfolded.
First Session
It all started here. A small group of kids, a few soccer balls, and a vision bigger than the field we stood on. We held our first session on a local turf field, running drills, teaching fundamentals, and most importantly — making every child feel like they belonged. The energy was electric. Parents watched from the sidelines. Coaches gave high-fives. And a community began to form.
The first group of Buffalo Sports Project athletes — drills, huddles, and a whole lot of heart.
Moved to Grant Street
Growth meant finding a home. We moved our operations to Grant Street — right in the heart of the neighborhood we serve. The new location put us closer to the families who needed us most. We set up shop near a grassy field, put up our “Field of Dreams” banner, and the word started to spread. More kids showed up. More parents asked questions. More community members stopped by to see what we were building.
New home on Grant Street. The Field of Dreams banner went up, and the community started showing up.
First Gear Donation
Equipment is everything when you are trying to level the playing field. Thanks to our incredible partners, we received our first major gear donation — soccer balls, jerseys, cones, nets, and more. The day we unpacked those boxes, our coaches felt like kids on Christmas morning. Every ball meant another child could participate. Every jersey meant a kid could feel like part of a team. This was the moment we realized we weren't just a program — we were a movement.
Unpacking our first gear donation. Every ball meant another kid could play.
World Refugee Day Tournament
On World Refugee Day, we hosted our first tournament — and it was magical. Teams from across Buffalo came together to compete, connect, and celebrate. The tournament drew families, community leaders, and local organizations. We saw kids who had never met before become teammates. We saw rival teams shake hands and laugh together. Our founding story is deeply rooted in Buffalo's refugee community, and this day honored that legacy. A team lifted the trophy at sunset, but the real win was the community we built around the pitch.
The World Refugee Day tournament brought Buffalo together — one match at a time.
New Location
As summer heated up, so did our programming. We expanded to a new outdoor location — a spacious grassy park field surrounded by trees and neighborhoods. The extra space meant more kids, more drills, and more room to grow. Coaches ran simultaneous sessions for different age groups. Older kids mentored younger ones. And every evening practice ended with a scrimmage under the setting sun.
A new park location meant more space, more kids, and more sunsets over practice.
Friday Nights at Coyer
The highlight of our summer. We launched Friday Night Lights at Coyer Field — our flagship weekly program under the stadium lights. Kids from every corner of Buffalo showed up. We formed teams, ran mini-leagues, and closed every night with a group huddle. Coyer Field became our home. Friday nights became the heartbeat of Buffalo Sports Project.
Friday Night Lights at Coyer Field — where Buffalo's youth shine brightest.
Futsal for Men & Youth
When the Buffalo winter arrived, we did not slow down — we moved indoors. We launched futsal programs for both men and youth in a local gymnasium. The fast-paced, small-sided game built quick thinking, tight ball control, and fierce camaraderie. Our men's sessions created space for older community members to stay active and mentor younger players. The youth futsal league exploded in popularity. The gym echoed with laughter, squeaking shoes, and the sound of goals being scored.
Winter futsal kept the momentum going indoors — for men and youth alike.
Growing Bigger & Reaching Further
The new year brought new energy and new programs. We launched dedicated girls sessions — creating safe, empowering spaces for young female athletes in Buffalo. We partnered with local schools to bring free soccer programs directly into Buffalo public schools during recess and after-school hours. And we started showing up for career day events, sharing our story with classrooms full of kids who might one day become coaches, athletes, or community leaders themselves.
2026: Girls sessions, school programs, and career day outreach — Buffalo Sports Project is everywhere.
See It for Yourself
This video captures the heart of what we do — the kids, the coaches, the community, and the belief that sports can change lives.
Built by a Village
None of this happens alone. Buffalo Sports Project is supported by an incredible network of partners, collaborators, and community organizations who believe in our mission. From local soccer clubs to university programs, equipment donors to community health organizations — every partner helps us reach more kids and do more good.
“I don't pretend that a soccer team or a basketball league can fix everything. But I do know that when we show up for these kids — when we invest in them, believe in them, and give them a place where they feel seen — good things can happen.”
August Finn
Founder & Program Director, Buffalo Sports Project