Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Braggs.
Hi Stephen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For over two decades, the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation has made a lasting impact through youth sports, life coaching, and mentorship, helping young athletes develop discipline, athletic skills, and community support.
As our mission evolved, we recognized a greater need: supporting foster youth and young adults (ages 16–23) as they transition into adulthood.
Today, we carry forward that legacy by providing housing support, career development, life coaching, and smart-money skills—ensuring every young person has the tools to build a stable, independent future.
Proud supporter: SPARK is UT Austin’s support program for students with lived experience in foster care. Founded by faculty and staff in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Spark is led by a full-time coordinator who also has personal experience in foster care.
From the moment students are admitted, the coordinator provides tailored support—meeting regularly, hosting networking events, offering emergency case management, and advocating for access to foster care benefits.
Life Coaching for Foster Youth & Young Adults (Ages 16–23)
At the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation, we believe independence begins long before housing or career opportunities. It starts with how a young person sees themselves.
The Compass Project is our signature life coaching program designed specifically for foster youth and teens preparing to age out of care. We help them build confidence, direction, emotional stability, and the real-life skills needed to step into adulthood with clarity and purpose.
What We Offer
Life Coaching & Real-Life Readiness
Practical tools for decision-making, problem-solving, communication skills, and navigating adulthood with confidence.
Mindset Reset
Teaching youth how to shift from survival mode into stable, intentional thinking.
We help them look at life from a different angle — one that opens possibility instead of pressure.
Goal Setting & Accountability
Weekly check-ins, steady encouragement, and a supportive coach who helps them build habits that stick.
Financial Literacy Basics
Understanding money, saving, planning, and avoiding common traps young adults often fall into.
Compass Project Retreats at Candlelight Ranch
A partnership creating safety, confidence, and community.
Through our partnership with Candlelight Ranch, youth in the Compass Project participate in monthly weekend retreats — immersive, three-day, two-night experiences that blend:
life coaching & mindset work
adventure-based challenges (Power Pole, zip line, Canyon Crawl)
nature exploration (kayaking, fishing, hiking, horses)
team-building & problem-solving
rest, connection, and trust-building
shared meals & community
financial literacy workshops
morning motivation & reflection
These retreats give youth something many have never had:
a safe place to breathe, learn, try new things, and reconnect with themselves.
Why This Work Matters
Youth aging out of foster care often carry:
trauma
interrupted support
limited resources
internal walls built from years of instability
The Compass Project addresses what’s beneath the surface — the mindset, fear, confusion, and self-doubt that traditional programs overlook.
When a young person feels safe and supported, something shifts:
curiosity replaces shutdown
confidence replaces fear
connection replaces isolation
goals feel possible
their guard slowly lowers
they see a future worth stepping into
This combination of life coaching, consistent adult support, and nature-based healing builds a foundation they can carry far beyond the weekend.
NextStep AI Career & Life Skills Academy is a core initiative of the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation’s Building Pathways to Independence program.
The NextStep AI Career & Life Skills Academy is an innovative program of the Stephen Braggs Youth Foundation designed for foster youth and young adults ages 16–23. This program blends life coaching, career readiness, and immersive technology to help youth build real-world skills in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
How NextStep AI Fits Into Our Programs
NextStep AI is part of SBYF’s broader approach to preparing youth for adulthood. The academy complements our Compass Project retreats, where youth practice these same skills in real-world, experiential environments focused on confidence, mindset, and community.
Together, these programs help youth move from survival mode toward stability and self-direction.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, and No! Restructuring the foundation from Sports oriented events and programs was easy because of my background as NFL Player and Coach and Athletic Director and Head Coach for 3 different sports ages 6 to 13 years old. Today’s mission focus on foster care programs and more guidelines and protective measures in place, that now I am learning new platforms and infrastructures and state mandates and operational requirements for programs for aging out youth 16-23 years old
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Retired NFL Player and Coach. I business ventures over the past 30 years consist of: Burger King Franchisee, Texas Style Bar-B-Q restaurant owner, Denny’s & IHOP General Manager, Disney World Magic Kingdom Operations Manager, NFL Europe World Bowl Champion Coach, Professional Arena Football coach for Austin Wranglers Arena Team, Athletic Director for Harmony Charter Schools of Austin Texas, Head Football, & Track and Field for 5A High Schools in NC, Florida and Texas. Operated my All Pro Strategies Camps and Leagues in 5 states in the US. Mentor for hundreds of youth along my career path, reinforces self image awareness, career development and financial literacy training and development. Now, I focus my efforts on supporting foster care ages 14 to 23 with mentorship, life skills coaching, career path development. and financial smart money skills programs and lastly creating assistant housing initiatives
How do you define success?
Progressive realization and executive towards a worthy idea, and goals. Consistency and burning determination clear plan toward a internal purpose, a definite purpose. Giving service to others to add increase in their life. Having a habit need way of life and displaying a great ATTITUDE!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sbyouthfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephen.braggs.1481/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenbraggsyouthfoundation/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-braggs-2b2917390
Image Credits
Candle Light Ranch
VEDX
Captial Credit Union
University Of Texas at Austin
Youth Advocate Program
Charles Schwab
