When Care and Community Come Together in Youth Sports
For Coach Cordero Darden, community has always been at the center of sports.
His connection to the YMCA began years ago as a referee, working games at multiple YMCA branches across North Texas. When his son, Jayceon, was old enough to play, enrolling him into Y sports felt natural. It was a place where kids could learn the game, build confidence, and feel supported.
As Jayceon moved from football into basketball, Cordero experienced the Y from a new perspective. Now in his third year as a YMCA basketball coach at the Frisco Family YMCA, he focuses on creating an environment where kids enjoy the game and grow as individuals.
Beyond skills and scores, Cordero wants his players to remember why they play. His message is simple: do not let anyone take away your love for the game.
An Unexpected Detour From the Game
In May, Jayceon broke his tibia during a school field day. After an initial visit elsewhere, the family was referred to Scottish Rite for Children, the Dallas Y’s official basketball sports sponsor.
From the beginning, the experience stood out. Cordero recalls how the care team at Scottish Rite focused not only on treatment, but also on easing Jayceon’s anxiety and helping him feel comfortable throughout the process.
Follow-up visits continued throughout the summer while Jayceon remained in a cast. Just weeks after becoming mobile again, Jayceon unexpectedly needed his appendix removed. Soon after, another injury brought the family back to Scottish Rite for additional care.
What made the biggest impression on Cordero was the transparency of the care his family received at Scottish Rite.
The medical team took time to explain next steps, offer honest guidance, and share tools to help prevent future injuries. The focus was not just on healing in the moment, but on long-term success for young athletes.
That approach helped Jayceon return to the activities he loves with confidence and support.
Where Care and Community Come Together
For Cordero, the experience at Scottish Rite reflected the same values he sees every day at the YMCA. At the Y, staff know his family by name. Coaches check in on Jayceon. The environment prioritizes the whole child, not just athletic performance.
At Scottish Rite, that same sense of care, trust, and long-term support was present at every visit.
When asked to describe what the YMCA and Scottish Rite mean to his family together, Cordero chose one word. Family.
With shared values, the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and Scottish Rite for Children work together to support youth athletes at every stage. From building confidence through sports to providing expert care when injuries happen, both organizations share a commitment to helping kids stay healthy, active, and connected to the things they love.