S6:EP5-Seren Fryatt, L.A.C.E.S

Join us for S6:EP5 of the Sports Philanthropy Podcast as Seren Fryatt, founder of L.A.C.E.S. sits down with our host; Roy Kessel to share her life story, and how L.A.C.E.S. works to leverage the power of sport to mentor the youth and better the community.

Seren was raised in a small town in Indiana. Growing up as the middle child of five, she decided follow in her sisters footsteps and play soccer throughout her childhood. Seren played sports all the time, and felt as if they kept her out of trouble. Playing on boys teams her whole life up until high-school graduation, she played for an all girls team in College for the first time. In College, Seren learned important life skills from her coach and mentor, Alan Alderson. She decided to work at Northwestern in soccer and lacrosse, but felt as if this was not her true calling; ultimately leading to the decision to move overseas where sports taught her a different dynamic to the aspect of life. Seren then decided to play professional soccer in Liberia, and recognized the true meaning and impact that Sports have on individuals going through hardship and struggle. Seren then decided to start her own business to called L.A.C.E.S. where sports help enact positive social change for at-risk youth around the world.

Seren founded L.A.C.E.S. in 2007 with the hopes to impact and change lives through sports all over the globe. She hired two local Liberians seen as the co-founders of the organization to help further grow the non-profit. The non-profit organization quickly developed into a curriculum that is fully adaptable in other areas and can change to meet the needs of the youth.

L.A.C.E.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that leverages the power behind sport to mentor the youth and empower local communities, while enhancing life and leadership development skills in the lives of hundreds of at-risk children, refugees and street youth around the world. The organization finds the impact in sports and spreads it to those in need, empowering others and allowing for an impact that goes above and beyond.

As the Founder and Executive Director of the organization for over 15 years, Seren realized that L.A.C.E.S. was prospering beyond her, and decided to transition away from executive director for the better of the organization. L.A.C.E.S. has Seren’s full support, and she hopes for the best for the organization she so dearly founded and helped further prosper as if it were a child. You can check out their website at L.A.C.E.S.

Seren has a strong passion for giving her help and services to non profit organizations. Through her life experiences overseas and learning more about foundations, she believes there are important practices throughout the world that can impact the lives of many individuals, and looks forward to how the next step in her journey of life can positively influence the world.