The Volunteer Coach Who’s Healing His Younger Self Through Manhattan Youth Basketball

At Apex for Youth, our volunteers are essential to the success of our programs. They dedicate their time, energy, and mentorship to our youth week after week, building meaningful relationships with communities they care about and fostering growth in the next generation.

One key area where this impact is felt is through our athletics program, which is offered in Chinatown, Sunset Park, and Flushing. This program not only provides a space for our youth to practice their physical fitness but also an opportunity to develop leadership skills and foster personal growth. Mentorship through athletics programs gives youth a chance to grow through structured team practices, competitive play, and our signature We Run As One (WRAO) Tournament. Through basketball, they sharpen their skills while building strong relationships with dedicated volunteer coaches – growing confidence, leadership, teamwork, and resilience – on and off the court.

A Coach in Two Worlds

This year, we are proud to name Jan Villano as our Athletics Volunteer of the Year, in recognition of 2 years of dedicated coaching in our youth basketball programs at LMC and WRAO.

Outside of his full-time job in financial management, Jan is an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and high school basketball coach. For the past two years, he’s brought the same coaching instincts to Apex for Youth,

A friend recommended that Jan volunteer at Apex, and it didn’t take long for him to find his place. He says he “discovered a tight-knit community that was so welcoming and shared the same passion for basketball”. 

Teaching Kids to Trust the Process

For Jan, coaching basketball has never been just about the game; it’s about the relationships built through playing. One of his favorite moments was when a youth player told him he was his favorite coach. Jan spent practices and games encouraging the players to make the right reads and trust their teammates, “even if you don’t win because everyone deserves a chance to make an impact.” His players take these lessons to heart, always remembering that “it’s okay to fail and one should never be afraid to try.”

This kind of growth and feedback is what keeps Jan coming back. “This age group is so impressionable – everything you say and how you say it matters,” he says. “Seeing our students apply adjustments and concepts in games has been very fulfilling. We truly make a difference for our community.”

Healing His Younger Self

Jan is deeply connected to the youth that he coaches. “I see myself in a lot of the youth we work with,” he says, “and I feel I have a chance to be the support system, motivator, and teacher I wish I had as a young boy.” Volunteering, he says, has allowed him to see life through a new perspective– “it feels as though I’m healing my younger self.”

Mentorship and Male Representation Matter

Jan views mentorship as a source of stability for low-income families juggling a lot at once. “Low-income households are homes of some of the hardest-working people,” he says. “It can be difficult to provide and create opportunities while financially supporting your family. Having mentorship programs like APEX alleviates a lot of that stress knowing you can entrust that responsibility into a community of well-connected people so your child doesn’t miss a beat.”

As a male mentor, Jan views his role as an opportunity for boys to express themselves in situations where they might otherwise remain silent—often because of societal expectations. “Boys may be reluctant to share their thoughts and emotions,” so “having male mentors is crucial to breaking through those barriers so we can focus on their development. It is easier to connect with someone who has been in your shoes for guidance [on] navigating through life’s challenges.”

Advice for Future Volunteers

“Keep your teachings and lessons short and simple,” he says. “Prioritize providing reps and play time over long and elaborate verbal breakdowns. If you don’t know what to do at any point, just be supportive.”

A Tribute to Jan’s Leadership

As Paul, our Athletics Program Coordinator, puts it, “Through his leadership and unwavering commitment to our students, Coach Jan Villano helped raise the standard for everyone involved. He inspired our students to strive for greatness both on and off the court by creating an environment where they felt supported, challenged, and motivated to grow. Just as importantly, he empowered his fellow volunteers to step into leadership roles and use their voices to become stronger role models for the youth that we serve. Tonight, we celebrate not only Jan’s contributions to our program but also the lasting difference he made each and every Saturday. Please join me in congratulating our Manhattan Athletics Volunteer of the Year, Coach Jan Villano.”

Inspired by Jan’s story? You too can make a difference. Become a volunteer with Apex for Youth and help open doors for the next generation.