One way Life University (Life U) serves its local and broader communities is its flagship Women’s and Men’s Rugby programs and their support of the YELLS Inc. afterschool program.
One way Life University (Life U) serves its local and broader communities is its flagship Women’s and Men’s Rugby programs and their support of the YELLS Inc. afterschool program.Youth Empowerment through Learning, Leading and Serving (YELLS) Inc. is a non-profit youth development organization working within the Franklin Gateway community of Marietta, Georgia, providing K-12 students with marketable skills, support and opportunities that can have a positive ripple effect in their communities, a Life U blog post explained. Like many charitable organizations, YELLS Inc. relies on volunteers and local community members for support in continuing their mission to serve the community.
In an effort to alleviate ongoing needs, Life U created Work-Study opportunities through the Federal Work-Study program to allow students to serve with YELLS, as well as develop valuable skills and earn funds to support their studies. The partnership began organically, with a couple of Life U students joining and finding their experience rewarding and impactful, connecting personally and strongly to YELLS mission and recruiting friends and teammates to serve the Franklin Gateway community.
As of June 2025, nine Life U students were serving through Work-Study, including six rugby players: four women and two men. Another Life U Men’s Rugby player has also served as a staff member for the Fair Oaks YELLS program.
Utilizing the Federal Work-Study program in this way “has been a powerful resource, allowing YELLS to leverage the strength and commitment of talented college students at no cost, helping us sustain and expand our impact even amid challenges like recent cuts to core federal funding,” explained YELLS Executive Director Laura Keefe in a special article titled “Partner Spotlight: Life University Women’s Rugby Team.”
“Many of these students remain with YELLS throughout their entire college journey and even into their graduate studies, growing as leaders while continuing to uplift the next generation of youth,” she added.
“I love YELLS with a passion. As soon as I started working here, I realized that there was truly something amazing happening with this program. Coming in every day and getting to know each kid’s story has opened my eyes to so much, and if I can be just a small part of their journey, then that would mean the world to me. They brighten my day every time I walk into these doors, and I am just so thankful to be a part of the YELLS family,” said Maddie Doyle in the original YELLS article.
Life U Rugby has organized two dedicated rugby sessions to show the kids the basics of the sport. These hand-on lessons promote teamwork and openness to new experiences, as many of the kids had never seen or held a rugby ball before.
“I love the environment of YELLS. It is filled with energy, laughter and a sense of belonging. The kids bring so much joy and light into my days, and every moment with them is a new experience that teaches me something different,” said Danie Taulua in the original YELLS article. “Even when things get tough, YELLS is my escape, a place where I can let go of life’s stresses and just be present. “
For more information, visit life.edu.
About Life University
Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees, and also has programmatic accreditation through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The mission of Life University is to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success and life fulfillment, based on a vitalistic philosophy.
