"Mitch Pledger Youth Development is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and young adults through physical, mental, and spiritual development. We provide mentorship, structured training, life skills education, and positive support systems that equip at-risk young people to overcome challenges, build resilience, and discover their full potential. Our goal is to see each individual walk boldly in their purpose and live lives of integrity while making a positive impact wherever they go."
MISSIONS
Beyond Freedom
Mitch Pledger Youth Development operates the Beyond Freedom Program focused on human trafficking in the Southeastern United States. Beyond Freedom trains and assists first responders in victim rescue, and then provides survivors with housing, health and wellness services, life skills training, and medical and legal aid. Our mission is to combat human trafficking through comprehensive awareness and prevention education while providing direct support to survivors. We are committed to empowering individuals by amplifying survivor voices, promoting healing, and fostering informed, resilient communities..
Faith Strong
Faith Strong exists to empower girls ages 12–18 to grow in strength, confidence, character, and faith. Through structured fitness training, mentorship, and life-skills development, we equip young women with the tools to achieve mental and physical wellness, build discipline and accountability, and become resilient leaders. Our programs promote healthy lifestyles, strength and conditioning, injury prevention, self-care, and personal growth in a safe, family-oriented environment. Beyond fitness, we are committed to shaping character through self-defense, etiquette, leadership training, and positive community partnerships—developing strong bodies, strong minds, and strong young women prepared to thrive in every area of life.
NEXT ONE UP
Next One Up a branch of MPYD founded by Phil Rollan, empowers youth--especially young aspiring athletes and those navigating through adversities--to develop strong character. Through mentorship, skill-building, and wellness-focused programs, we equip young people with the confidence, resilience, and tools they need to overcome challenges and reach their fullest potential.
beyond freedom
Beyond Freedom is a comprehensive program of Mitch Pledger Youth Development dedicated to combating human trafficking and supporting survivors across the Southeastern United States. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every life has inherent value and that freedom, healing, and restoration are possible after exploitation. Beyond Freedom exists to intervene at every critical point of the trafficking cycle: prevention, rescue, recovery, and long-term restoration. A core component of Beyond Freedom is our work alongside first responders and frontline professionals. We provide specialized training and practical tools to help law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and community partners recognize indicators of human trafficking, respond safely and effectively, and assist in victim rescue. By strengthening awareness and coordination among those most likely to encounter trafficking situations, we help ensure victims are identified sooner and treated with dignity, care, and trauma-informed support. Once a survivor is rescued, Beyond Freedom walks with them through the complex journey of healing and rebuilding. We provide access to safe housing, health and wellness services, and trauma-informed care designed to restore both physical and emotional well-being. Survivors receive life skills training that empowers them toward independence, including education, employment readiness, financial literacy, and personal development. We also connect survivors with essential medical and legal aid, helping them navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming after trauma. Beyond Freedom is more than a program; it is a pathway to hope, stability, and self-sufficiency. We are committed to creating environments where survivors are not defined by what happened to them, but supported in discovering who they are and who they can become. Through collaboration with community partners, donors, and advocates, Beyond Freedom works to break cycles of exploitation and build futures marked by freedom, purpose, and lasting transformation.
faith strong
Faith Strong was created with a simple but powerful purpose—to help young girls discover just how strong they truly are, inside and out. We serve girls ages 12–18 during some of the most important and formative years of their lives, providing guidance, structure, and encouragement as they grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We believe strength is more than fitness. True strength is confidence. It is discipline. It is resilience. It is faith. At Faith Strong, we use physical training as the foundation, but our mission goes far beyond the gym. Through strength and conditioning programs, group workouts, camps, and individual training plans, we teach proper fitness techniques, injury prevention, healthy lifestyle habits, and nutrition education to help girls care for their bodies safely and confidently. At the same time, we focus deeply on character development. Our girls learn accountability, leadership, teamwork, and self-respect. We teach life skills that prepare them for the real world—self-defense, etiquette, self-care, goal setting, and personal responsibility—so they can walk with confidence in any environment. Every session is designed to build both physical strength and inner strength. Faith Strong is also built on community. We provide a safe, family-oriented space where girls feel supported, seen, and valued. Through mentorship and positive role models, we encourage them to step into leadership roles and believe in their potential. By networking with like-minded organizations and families, we create opportunities that help our youth grow beyond limitations. Our vision is to develop strong young women who lead with integrity, live healthy and purposeful lives, and positively impact the world around them. Because when a girl becomes strong in her body, mind, and faith, there is no limit to what she can achieve. At Faith Strong, we’re not just building athletes—we’re building leaders.
next one up
Next One Up is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through evidence-based programs that support mental health, physical wellness, and personal development. We believe every young person deserves access to guidance, resources, and opportunities that help them grow into confident, resilient, and purpose-driven individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our programs are intentionally designed to address the whole person. Through structured engagement, mentorship, and skill-building activities, Next One Up helps youth strengthen emotional well-being, develop healthy habits, and build the confidence needed to navigate life’s challenges. We integrate evidence-based practices that promote positive decision-making, self-awareness, and coping strategies, ensuring participants receive support that is both effective and sustainable. Mentorship is a cornerstone of Next One Up. By connecting youth with positive role models and trusted mentors, we create safe spaces for encouragement, accountability, and personal growth. These relationships help young people identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and envision a future filled with possibility. Alongside mentorship, our programs emphasize life skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and responsibility, equipping youth with tools that extend far beyond the program experience. Next One Up is deeply rooted in community impact. We collaborate with families, schools, and community partners to create supportive environments where youth can thrive. By investing in the well-being and development of young people today, we are cultivating the next generation of leaders, advocates, and change-makers. At Next One Up, we believe in meeting youth where they are and helping them take the next step forward. Through consistent support, intentional programming, and a belief in their potential, we empower young people to rise above challenges, discover their purpose, and become positive contributors to their communities — always striving to be the next one up.
Our Team
Meet the Team
Board President
Gary Smith
Married to my wife Chery for forty-eight years. We have two children and two grandchildren. I am self
employed, owner of Pinson Valley Drafting. I was a licensed realtor for ten years. I went to Ashville High
School, University of Alabama Birmingham, and South Eastern Bible College. I was youth director along
with Chery for twelve years with Senior High, and College Career groups. We have been in ministry for
over thirty years. We attend and are members of OneEighty Church in Springville, Alabama.
Board Member
Sharon Humphrey
For 20 years I have been a realtor, for forty-eight years I have been a mother and for twenty-
two years a grandmother. God blessed me with two beautiful daughters, who are the greatest
achievements of my life. Ultimately, I have been double blessed with three grandsons, (two of
which are twins) and one granddaughter. Without my family, I am nothing.
During my thirty years of being a realtor, a lot of changes in the industry and my personal life
have taken place. I have been instrumental in helping many clients make changes in their lives
as well. What a privilege it is to be allowed to do so. Real estate is more than selling pretty
houses or getting a pay check, it is about forming lasting relationships and so many times a
bond that I no longer call them a client, I call them my friends.
James 4:2-3 in essence says “You have not because you ask not”.
Executive Director
Robert "Coach" George
My name is Robert George. Most people call me “Coach” because of my coaching career. I live
in Irondale, Alabama. I am a retired teacher/coach. I have been married to my wife Brenda
for 47 years and we have a daughter whose name is Megan. We will become grandparents this
year. I attended both Berry High School and Ensley High School. I attended the University of
Alabama Birmingham where I received my degree in secondary education in Comprehensive
Social Science (History). I have a master degree from the University of Montevallo in
Administration of Education. I taught Honors World History, I coached football, basketball, and
track. I was named to the Who’s Who among America’s Teachers (the Best teachers in America
Selected by the Best Students) 1998. I was very proud of being the sponsor for the Fellowship
of Christian Athletes at the schools I worked.
Executive Directors
Phil & Trudi Rollan
Trudi and Phil Rollan opened Iron Beach Gym in 2001 in Irondale, Alabama. Mrs. Rollan and her husband founded Mitch Pledger Youth Development in 2018 with a mission to provide services and support to underserved youth. They created two main projects within MPYD: Next One Up and Beyond Freedom. Beyond Freedom focuses on Human Trafficking in the Southeastern United States and includes support to survivors of childhood human trafficking. Mrs. Rollan formed and leads Beyond Freedom, where she provides health and wellness services, life skills training, and medical and legal aid to survivors of childhood human trafficking. Mrs. Rollan travels throughout the Southeast, educating others and sharing resources on how to recognize human trafficking in public spaces and how to safely report any incidents to the proper authorities for the safe extraction of victims. Trudi is a trained victim advocate, a survivor intake specialist, and a certified Life Coach, assisting victims of human trafficking with all their needs and helping them find their new identities as survivors.
Fitness Director
Sharla Hampton