The LAFC Youth Leadership Program Kicks Off at The Bresee Youth Center
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Football Club today launched The LAFC Youth Leadership Program, the first community initiative in club history. In partnership with the Bresee Youth Center, Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico, the LAFC Youth Leadership program empowers and trains at-risk high school students to serve as organizers and coaches of year-round youth soccer programs in South and Central Los Angeles.
“One of the core pillars of LAFC is to make a true difference in Los Angeles,” LAFC Owner and President Tom Penn said. “The LAFC Youth Leadership Program harnesses the power of soccer to create role models and mentors and effectively teach life and leadership skills to students.”
The program features 30 high school students known as LAFC “Youth Leaders” from two separate base sites, ‘Central’ and ‘South’ located in the heart of Los Angeles.
“We have been impressed with the way LAFC has embraced the Los Angeles community from the moment the club was launched,” said Seth Eklund, Executive Director, The Bresee Youth Center. “We look forward to working with LAFC to effect real change in our city.”
As part of the LAFC Youth Leadership Program, Youth Leaders design and lead high impact, fun after school classes for Los Angeles elementary and middle school students.
“The LAFC Youth Leadership Program is an important and special part of our mission,” LAFC Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Larry Freedman said. “This is a long-term commitment to providing real, tangible life skills to young people in our city.”
Other aspects of the program include financial literacy classes provided by Banc of California, as well as an industry professional speaker series. The program also includes college prep featuring: university field trips, SAT/ACT Prep, professional resume design assistance, sports mental training, and coach and referee training.
“I have witnessed first-hand the impact a Youth Leadership Program can have in the community,” said LAFC Youth Leadership Program Managing Director Anthony Cummings. “To have a professional sports team in L.A. on the ground, every day making a difference is rare and inspirational.”
About The Bresee Youth Center:
The Bresee Youth Center is a multi-service community center that works with more than 2,500 low-income youth and families annually. Bresee offers academic tutoring, college and career readiness, and athletics programs for middle and high school students, gang prevention services for 10- to 15-year-old youth, and a range of supportive services for families, including ESL, computer, and financial literacy classes, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and legal/immigration services. For more information about Bresee, visit bresee.org.
About The Los Angeles Football Club:
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is the newest MLS soccer club serving the greater Los Angeles area. Set to kick-off in 2018, LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing and developing the 22,000 seat Banc of California Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal-State Los Angeles. For more information about LAFC, visit LAFC.com and LAFC.com/presskit.
Contact:
Seth Burton: LAFC, seth.burton@lafc.com, 310-936-6080.
Blair Bartlett: M Strategic Communications, bb@m-consultants.net, 619-708-8983.
Shannon Murphy Castellani: M Strategic Communications, sm@m-consultants.net, 310-849-4687.
