I Love My Community: Amber & Chris Cunningham

Amber and Chris Cunningham volunteer together as cross country coaches for the Catholic Youth Organization at Presentation School in Stockton. Chris has a career as a vice president of sales for a tech company while Amber works as an associate marriage and family therapist. They moved from Stockton’s Brookside neighborhood to Lodi several years ago with their three children.

Q: Describe your role with CYO.
A: We volunteer as the cross country head coaches and members of the CYO Advisory Board. Our role has allowed us to take a hands-on role in helping shape the future of the sport within the Diocese of Stockton. We collaborate closely with other parishes, help coordinate meets and work together to create meaningful opportunities for student athletes. One of our favorite experiences was helping coordinate a meet at the University of the Pacific, which was an incredible opportunity for the kids. We have big dreams for the future of the program and love being able to contribute to something that impacts so many families.

Q: What do you love about working with students?
A: “Working with young people is incredibly rewarding because you get to watch them discover they are capable of more than they believed. Through cross country, kids learn discipline, resilience, confidence and how to push through challenges,” said Chris. “There’s something powerful about watching a young person realize ‘I can do hard things,’ and seeing that mindset begin to carry into the rest of their life.”

Q: What is the most rewarding part of coaching?
A: “Watching students grow in confidence and belief in themselves. Kids who begin the season thinking certain challenges are impossible often finish the season accomplishing things they never imagined they could do,” said Amber. “What makes cross country especially meaningful is that it becomes a true family sport; siblings grow up in the program together, toddlers run alongside practices, and entire families come together to support one another. It creates a really special sense of community that goes far beyond running.”

Q: What is the biggest challenge of training in our Valley heat?
A: There is definitely a tension between pushing toward growth and protecting well-being, and we navigate that by helping kids better understand and listen to their bodies. We try to give them the language and confidence to recognize when it’s time to keep pushing and when it’s time to take a break. We also partner closely with parents because they know their children best and can help us understand when their child may need extra encouragement or extra rest. One thing we emphasize often is that preparation starts days before a meet. What you eat, drink and how you care for your body on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday directly impacts how you feel and perform on Saturday. We want kids to understand that taking care of themselves is part of becoming a strong athlete.

Q: What’s important when coaching youth sports?
A: “Accepting imperfection and understanding that you cannot make everyone happy is an important part of coaching youth sports,” Amber said. “There will always be moments where people think something should have been done differently, and good coaches have to remain confident and rooted while also staying humble enough to learn from helpful feedback. Consistency, integrity and leading by example are also incredibly important.”

Q: What else is important in coaching?
A: “One of the most important qualities in coaching youth sports is the willingness to keep learning and evolving. I coach basketball and cross country, and both sports have taught me the importance of developing adaptable athletes,” Chris said. “No race, practice or game is ever the same, so we try to help kids become resilient, disciplined and able to respond to different challenges and environments. More than anything, kids respond to sincerity. They know when a coach genuinely cares, is prepared and is trying to help them become their best.”

Q: What do you love most about your community?
A: We love the slower pace of life compared to the Bay Area and Southern California, where we are originally from. We appreciate the small businesses, diversity, family-centered culture and the beauty of being surrounded by farmland and agriculture. The strong sense of community and involvement through our children’s Catholic school has inspired us to become deeply involved in our children’s education and athletics.

Q: How are you inspired to serve?
A: We both feel deeply passionate about helping people maximize their potential. Whether through coaching, mentoring, therapy or leadership, we love encouraging others to push past perceived limitations and grow into the best version of themselves. Amber works with teens and young adults as a therapist, while Chris coaches at both the youth and high school levels as well as leads a sales team in the technology sector; in every setting we feel called to help people build confidence, resilience, discipline and hope.

Q: Chris, what sparks joy in your life?
A: Spending time with Amber, watching our kids blossom into who they are becoming, learning, growing in my faith, Nitro cold brews and wandering through used bookstores all spark joy for me.

Q: How about you, Amber?
A: Some of my most joy-filled moments are the simple ones at home in between all the practices and busy schedules. There’s nothing better than enjoying Chris’ barbecue while the kids swim and having a great college, NBA or WNBA basketball game on in the background.

Q: What do you like to do for fun, Amber?
A: Outside of work, I really enjoy working out, spending time in the Bible and trying to grow into a better wife, mother and Christian each day. Taking care of my health helps me show up better for my family, and fitness has become an important part of my lifestyle. I love staying connected with family and phone calls with my wonderful family help me feel supported. Most days, you’ll probably find me driving the kids to their activities while listening to praise and worship music with an iced coffee in my hand. stand strong through the next century despite whatever challenges may come its way.