LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The LA84 Foundation announced today that it distributed $963,500 in grants to Southern California school-based and community youth sports organizations.
The nonprofit, which was created by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee with surplus funds from the 1984 Olympic Games, seeks to close the “play equity gap'' between children with access to sports and those without.
LA84, which has supported thousands of youth sports organizations in Southern California over the past 35 years, dedicated the spring grant cycle's funding to:
-- school-based programs;
-- field refurbishments that will improve playing conditions and increase safety;
-- coaching/instructor education to develop healthier and more engaged young people; and
-- the expansion of meaningful sports opportunities for youth with physical disabilities.
“We're moving into spring with optimism and hope, and we recognize many of these organizations have been through a year that was defined by enormous challenges,'' said Renata Simril, the foundation's president and CEO. “Our grant-making reflects that, to respond with flexibility to the needs of our partners while supporting the programs and facilities they provide to young people.''
The grant recipients include:
-- Beat the Streets Los Angeles Inc., which received $50,000 for its youth wrestling program;
-- Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside, which received $75,000 for its sailing and basketball programs;
-- Heart of Los Angeles Youth Inc., which was awarded $80,000 for its youth soccer and basketball leagues;
-- Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, which received $25,000 for its adaptive wheelchair basketball program;
-- Taking the Reins, which was given $20,000 for its all-girls equestrian riding program;
-- Team Prime Time, which received $62,000 for its adaptive youth basketball program;
-- The Southern California Golf Foundation, which was awarded $100,000 for its youth golf program;
-- Youth N Motion Academy, which received $35,000 for its martial arts and archery program; and
-- Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Fullerton, which was awarded $25,000 for full day enrichment programming.
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