From Garage to Community Hub
How Robert and Connie Osorio Transformed Their Passion for Boxing into a Sanctuary for Youth Empowerment and Creativity
For over 35 years, Robert has been involved in boxing, but in the last five years, he has shifted his focus to teaching youth. His journey began when his grandson’s academic performance and confidence declined due to persistent bullying at school. Determined to help, Robert began teaching him boxing fundamentals in the garage. Before long, his grandson's grades improved and his confidence was restored. It was the grandson’s teacher who then suggested that Robert extend his efforts to teach boxing to other vulnerable youth
In July 2021, after two years of teaching youth boxing in his garage, Robert and his wife Connie opened the Osorio Training Center at 22495 Foothill Blvd. Collectively, the couple believe in servant leadership and are devoted to their mission – empowering and healing the community through boxing. Robert and Connie Osorio have been married for 37 years. They became parents as teenagers, raising four children and eventually welcoming eleven grandchildren. Originally from the Mission District in San Francisco, Robert served in the Marine Corps as a parachute rigger before working in retail management while Connie worked in hospital management. They now bring their collective experience to Osorio Training Center, a sanctuary for troubled youth, women, or anyone wanting to master boxing.
The Osorio community grew by providing after-school Youth Engagement Programs (YEP) for the Hayward and Castro Valley Unified School Districts. The gym established a non-profit organization, Beyond The Ring, Inc., to cover the cost of boxing lessons for sponsored youth, particularly children from low-income households and young men of color. Boxing serves as a positive emotional outlet for those who are sponsored, addressing the needs of both the bullies and the bullied.
Mayet Hedrick-Sumchai, Assistant Manager and Youth Coach, explained that many youth who receive sponsored boxing lessons through Beyond The Ring, Inc. are often referred by (YEP). She said that Osorio Training Center also works with Twin Oaks Montessori and Northern Light middle school in Oakland to bring boxing lessons to children. They hope to reach more schools and increase the number of youth served under Osorio Training Center and Beyond The Ring, Inc..
In three years, the community outgrew the gym, prompting Robert to search for a larger space. He set his sights on the former True Value Hardware building directly across the street. Fortunately, his landlord owns several buildings in Downtown Hayward – including the old hardware store and the now-closed CVS – agreed to a lease. Robert then quickly updated the building at the corner of Foothill Blvd and A Street with new windows, fresh paint, and signage for the Osorio Training Center.
Boxing takes commitment, technical skills, mental toughness, and a support system – qualities Robert believes can translate into valuable entrepreneurial skills for youth. Before the grand opening, Robert invited me to tour the new training center and future creative hub for youth. It was a Tuesday afternoon when Robert, Connie, and their Grant Writer, Rosaura Figueroa Mendoza, guided me through the gym. As they showed me around, I understood their dream to create a community space beyond a traditional boxing gym. The building’s expansive and renovated downstairs will provide an additional creative outlet for youth, with a future podcasting studio, photography, and computer lab.
“The values of boxing are applicable anywhere; school, other sports, photography.” – Ray Casarez, gym member and volunteer videographer
As we finished the tour, Robert invited me back to their soft opening that Friday. I agreed, eager to see the gym space and community in action. When 5:00 pm Friday arrived, I saw about twenty people inside the gym and a family walking through the doors. I could feel the camaraderie as Robert greeted a group of young men with an assertive, 'We did it!'.
As class started, bags were left along the walls while people warmed-up. Boxers took turns wrapping each other’s hands in preparation for class. Boxing requires a team – a boxer can only put one glove on before needing help with the other. I watched as the class lead by NASM- certified instructor, Juan Medina, began and boxers alternated between the punching bags and partnered drills. Robert was separately coaching three young men, breaking down how to improve their boxing form with an adjustment of the arm or body.
Robert briefly stepped away from coaching to point out Seta Vatuvei and said, “Seta has a Master’s degree and she’s a pro.” Seta only intended on taking boxing classes, but has gone professional with Robert’s support. Seta praised Robert’s boxing mastery and coaching style, stating, 'He genuinely cares about his fighters.' Robert was not only proud of her boxing feats but also her educational achievements. Before leaving, Seta said she was excited to start training in the larger and improved gym space.
“This is another home to me. I feel nothing but love and respect.” – Seta Vatuvei
Rosaura, also the founder of StackFest – a platform that supports artists, business owners and local residents – hopes that Osorio Training Center will receive Special Events Funding from the city to host community block parties. In the meantime, they continue to partner with local businesses like The Dirty Bird Lounge to host fundraisers for sponsored youth boxing lessons and the gym’s future creative space.
Robert, his wife Connie, and the Osorio community invite you to attend the Grand Opening of Osorio Training Center at 22500 Foothill Blvd on Wednesday September 11th from 6:00 - 8:00pm. There will be music, boxing demos, raffles, and general celebrations for public participation. All Grand Opening proceeds will contribute towards their goal to raise $60,000 for continued facility improvements.