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March 18, 2022
Our partners at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) are now accepting registrations for their flagship youth development program, Dodgers Dreamteam (formerly Dodgers RBI). Angelenos are encouraged to register youth, volunteer or donate to the program, which looks to reach 25,000 youth annually by 2030.
“Dodgers Dreamteam celebrates the many individuals, groups and resources that come together to support youth development through sport. It conveys a greater sense of future focus, reflects on the comprehensive nature of the program and doubles down on our impactful vision for our neighborhoods,” said LADF CEO, Nichol Whiteman. “Dodgers Dreamteam is more than just sports; it’s hope for a brighter future.”
The newly refreshed program uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities that are experiencing social injustices. This season, LADF will work with 13 Affiliate Partners to deliver sports-based programming and wraparound services for 12,000 youth and to support communities and families across the city.
The program’s vision is to bring families, volunteers, recreation departments and non-profit organizations together to help support youth development with goals of:
- Providing an inclusive, barrier-free sports-based youth development program that is typically reserved for the elite
- Delivering programs, services and resources that address basic needs, education and health care
- Training parents and coaches to create a youth sports environment that fosters social and emotional learning opportunities
- Increasing participation of underrepresented groups, specifically Black youth, girls and teenagers
Centered around a view to be ‘Bigger than Baseball’, LADF is dedicated to tackling the most pressing issues facing Angelenos, with a mission to improve education, healthcare, homelessness and social justice for all regardless of zip code. Since 1995, they have invested more than $40 million in programs and grants to non-profits and have increased fundraising by 1000% since 2012.
“Over the past five years, this program has become a huge part of my life for me, my friends and our families,” shared East LA participant Brandy Escobar. “When I first participated, it felt like I’d found my place. I was 10 years old, and there were not a lot of opportunities for girls to play sports. Especially being interested in softball, my choices were limited. You can imagine how excited I was when I found Dodgers RBI at Belvedere Park.”
Based on the feedback from key stakeholders, Dodgers Dreamteam has incorporated new elements, one of which includes deploying trauma-informed coach mentors who are trained to coach youth in unique circumstances. In addition, the program will include “Dodger Days,” community resource fairs for families to receive basic needs, food and health care resources, access and exposure to educational opportunities through a College and Career Accelerator, LA Reads, Science of Baseball, fitness & nutrition clinics, baseball and softball clinics and parent workshops. LADF is also providing all partners with support for staffing, umpires and field maintenance.
Registration is on a rolling basis. Visit the site to apply, sign up to be a coach or donate – Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam
LADF was one of the winners of Beyond Sport’s 2020 Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award suppported by the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and is a consistent Beyond Sport Expert Advisor.
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