STATESBORO, Ga. () — A Statesboro organization is making a difference by dedicating time to young athletes with dreams of going pro.

Leaders at the Roosevelt Cone Jr. Character Development Center want to be more than just coaches.

“It really sets them above regular athletes that don’t have external help,” marketing director Joseph Stuckey said. “They’ve got this clean-cut look, have some knowledge about finances, and have goals.”

The center works alongside the local recreation department, providing kids with the necessary equipment and skills to look and feel like professional athletes.

“I’ve seen a lot of them with cleats that don’t look so good because they can’t afford them,” said Roosevelt Cone, head of the organization. “So it feels good that we actually can come in and support the parents and help them get new cleats and stuff like that.”

Cone said the organization’s main focus is mentoring: teaching kids responsibility and respect through their shared passion for sports.

“The simple things like being on time, listening to your coach, keeping your room clean, listening to mom, listening to dad,” Cone said. “I always believed those small things like that will add up so once they get out on that football field or the court, it makes it easier for not only the kid but the coach too.”

Cone said he was inspired to start the foundation after seeing his own son take an interest in sports.

“I just started realizing that a lot of other kids, if they had half of the time that I was putting in him, they could actually have a better life,” Cone said.

The organization raises funds through a sports memorabilia store and trading card swaps—something Cone said stems from his own childhood.

Now, the foundation is gearing up for baseball season and looking to add more mentees to its roster.