Sports & Wellness for Foster Youth

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We address systemic barriers preventing at-risk youth in LA, like foster, immigrant, & low-income youth, from accessing extracurricular activities, particularly sports. These youth often face financial constraints, transportation issues, & discrimination, limiting their participation in positive recreational activities. For foster youth, logistical challenges and liability concerns further hinder their involvement in sports, despite recognized benefits. We directly confront these barriers by providing a supportive environment through free youth sports clinics. These clinics offer structured activities, mentorship, & interventions, fostering inclusion & personal growth. By dismantling obstacles, we empower youth to build life skills, resilience, & confidence, ultimately reducing their vulnerability for homelessness, incarceration, & other adversities in adulthood. By investing in their holistic development we empower youth to achieve lasting positive change in their lives & communities.

This grant supports our initiative of free youth sports clinics designed to dismantle systemic barriers that hinder foster youth in LA County from participating in sports. Our clinics provide structured activities, mentorship, and targeted interventions, fostering a supportive environment where youth learn valuable skills and gain confidence. By focusing on prevention and youth development, rather than addressing issues in adulthood, we aim to create a safer and more vibrant Los Angeles.

Our successful work will reshape Los Angeles County by reducing the overrepresentation of foster youth in the justice system, addressing factors like instability, trauma, and inadequate support systems. We aim to diminish the vulnerability of foster youth to gang involvement and decrease their disproportionate risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking, aligning with national data highlighting these risks. Ultimately, we envision fostering the next generation of community leaders who are physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally healthy, contributing as productive citizens who can support families and contribute to society.

Better Today Better Tomorrow is an early-stage project designed to provide transformative sporting experiences for at-risk youth in Los Angeles County. Success will be defined and measured by increased participation rates, improved life skills, and enhanced self-esteem among participants. Metrics will include attendance records, participant feedback, and observational assessments of skill development and behavior. We will conduct surveys and interviews with participants, their families, and mentors to gauge the program's impact on personal growth and community engagement. Additionally, we will track educational outcomes, such as school attendance and academic performance, to measure the program's broader impact. Regularly collected data will be analyzed to identify trends and areas for improvement, ensuring the initiative effectively addresses the issues faced by our target population.