Marietta, Georgia- January 27, 2026 – Life University (Life U) is dedicated to serving its local and broader communities in a variety of ways, a commitment that is often echoed through our civic-minded sports teams. One such example of this is Life U’s 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. Like many compassionate and complex charitable organizations, YELLS relies on volunteers and local community members for support in continuing their mission to serve the community reliably and thoughtfully.
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 rather organically, with a couple of Life U students joining at first. They found their experience to be so rewarding and impactful, connecting personally and strongly to YELLS mission to the point of 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,” said Keefe.
The impact is evident in the relationships they have built with the students who love to read with them, share stories about their day or show off something they have learned. The rugby players have become something of a safe space for these kids to feel seen, heard and inspired. Leading by example, our Life U Rugby players demonstrate the value of hard work, supporting others and giving back.
“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 gone above and beyond to provide encouraging experiences for theise kids, organizing two dedicated rugby sessions to show the kids the basics of the sport that they love so much. These hand-on lessons promoted teamwork and openness to new experiences, as many of the kids had never even 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. “
Life University is grateful to YELLS for welcoming our students to serve in this capacity, and we hope to continue this fruitful partnership and cultivate others in the near future.
Founded in 1974, Life University is a health sciences institution most known for its College of Chiropractic. Undergraduates can pursue 12 undergraduate degrees; a pre-chiropractic, degree-seeking pathway; and three graduate degrees within the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies. Some degree programs are offered to distance learners through the College of Online Education.
Life University strives to empower our students to succeed both professionally and personally. At Life U, we innovate our approach to higher education, while also remaining true to our philosophical commitment to produce informed leaders who exemplify humanistic values in their professions. To achieve this goal, LIFE recognizes and demonstrates its dedication through three official Life University Values: Lasting Purpose, Vitalism and Integrity.
Life U’s 110-acre campus in Marietta, Georgia, just northwest of Atlanta, is home to more than 2,400 undergraduate, graduate and professional students who come from all 50 United States and more than 60 countries.
For more information about Life University, please visit life.edu.
For more information about Life U Women’s Rugby and our other outstanding sports programs, please visit liferunningeagles.com.
For more information about YELLS, visit yellsinc.org.
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.
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