On Tuesday, May 30, 2017, Up2Us Sports collaborated with the LA Dodgers Foundation (LADF) to provide a unique training opportunity to partners of the Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. These partners, which span across Los Angeles County, and include Boys and Girls Club, recreational parks, nonprofits, and youth baseball academies, engaged with Up2Us Sports staff in our training on "How to Change Your Coaching in 7 Words or Less". Through this interactive 2-hour session, participants learned specific phrases, each 7 words or less, that they can use with their teams to help build positive relationships and promote youth engagement. The relationship between Up2Us Sports and the LADF has allowed for the movement of intentional coaching and the philosophy of sports-based youth development (SBYD) to become accessible and trusted resources to programs throughout Los Angeles. Through a partnership that includes both coach placement and training, Up2Us Sports and LADF are able to stand as champions for the power of sport to positively impact our youth, families, and communities. “The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation values youth character development and that starts with the adults our children are surrounded by. Dodgers RBI location directors and coaches receiving hands-on training and helpful tips to use when working with their players is integral. Partnering with Up2Us Sports is an absolute must,” said Tiffany Rubin, Manager of Dodgers RBI.

Established in 1995, LADF is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Harnessing the power of the Dodger brand and a passionate fan base, LADF works to significantly impact underserved youth in some of the most challenged neighborhoods of Los Angeles. In 2017, Dodgers RBI will serve 7,800 boys and girls ages 5- 18 in Compton, East Los Angeles, Harbor City, Inglewood, Long Beach, Northeast Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Southwest Los Angeles and Venice. Dodgers RBI participants will receive uniforms and equipment, baseball and softball clinics, coaches training, free eye exams and glasses, bilingual books and literacy resources, college access tours, a recycling challenge to promote community service, and financial literacy seminars. All of these resources are offered at no cost, making it accessible to underserved communities.

“There are few programs that have the trust, presence, and impact in Los Angeles as the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and we are proud to be supported by and working with them as agents for change in the youth sport community,” said Up2Us Sports’ Senior Training Manager Dre De La Peza, who facilitated the session.

To learn more about the LADF, visit their website. To learn more about Up2Us Sports Training, click here.