About Us

Our Story

Coach Joe’s Confidence + Competence Theory of Change

Empowering Youth from the Inside Out

Why This Matters:

When you grow up in a place where hope feels far away and opportunities are hard to find, it’s easy to start believing that you were never meant to succeed. I’ve lived that reality. I’ve felt the weight of it. That’s why I’m committed to helping change it.

The Confidence + Competence Theory is built on one simple truth: when young people have both belief in themselves and the skills to build something meaningful, they unlock their full potential. Especially in underserved and overlooked communities, this can spark life-changing growth. This is not just about helping kids survive tough environments. It’s about helping them own their stories, build their futures, and become the leaders their communities need.

1. Why Confidence and Competence Matter

In every classroom, on every court, and at every community event, I meet young people with so much potential and so many untold stories. What they need most are two things:
● Confidence to believe in who they are, even when life has been rough.
● Competence to build real-world skills and take action toward their goals.

Confidence fuels the dream. Competence brings it to life. Together, they create lasting change.

2. How We Build It

We don’t leave this to chance. Growth takes time, care, and consistency. Here’s how we help young people grow strong from the inside out: Early Childhood (Ages 0 to 11): Planting Seeds At this stage, kids need safety, love, and room to explore. We use creative learning, safe spaces, and positive role models to build early confidence and life skills. The sooner we invest in them, the deeper their roots grow.

Early Childhood (Ages 0 to 11): Planting Seeds

At this stage, kids need safety, love, and room to explore. We use creative learning, safe spaces, and positive role models to build early confidence and life skills. The sooner we invest in them, the deeper their roots grow.

Middle and High School (Ages 12 to 17): Building Belief

This is the age where outside voices grow louder and self-doubt kicks in. So we connect students with mentors who get them and come from similar backgrounds. Our programs teach leadership, emotional wellness, and life skills. When young people see what’s possible, they start to believe they can do it too.

Young Adulthood (Ages 18 to 24): Creating Pathways

Now it’s time for opportunity. We offer scholarships, internships, trade programs, and hands-on experiences. This is when they move from dreaming to doing. And when that happens, they begin to see themselves as builders, leaders, and creators of change.

3. Keeping the Fire Lit

Empowerment doesn’t come from a single workshop or event. It comes from relationships that last. Here’s how we stay connected:

● Long-Term Mentorship
We walk with young people through life’s ups and downs. We stay in their corner, showing up again and again.

● Peer Networks
We help them build strong communities with others their age. When they support each other, they grow stronger together.

● Inspiring Role Models
They need to see success that looks like them. We lift up artists, business owners, educators, and leaders who prove that your starting point doesn’t decide your destination.

4. The Ripple Effect

When confidence and competence come together, amazing things happen:

● Economic Power
Youth step into careers, launch businesses, and earn with purpose. They don’t just survive — they thrive.

● Community Leadership
They give back as mentors, advocates, and changemakers, using their stories to inspire others.

● Cycle-Breakers
They don’t just escape harmful systems. They come back, fix what’s broken, and build something better.

The Heart of It All

We give youth the tools to shape their own future. We help them turn pain into purpose. We teach them how to turn their story into a spark that lights up the world around them. Everything we do from school tours to books to mentorship programs is grounded in this belief: When we build both confidence and competence, we don’t just help youth dream. We prepare them to live it. This is the heart of GraySpace Foundation. This is the Confidence + Competence Theory. And this is how we create real change from the inside out.