By Erin Edwards
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) successfully hosted it’s annual Dodgers Dreamteam PlayerFest, presented by Bank of America, on Saturday, July 27. The event was a huge success, providing Dodger fanfare and access to vital resources and programming for thousands of youth participants and their families. When approaching the stadium, buses lined up as they brought Dodgers Dreamteam participants, their families, and coaches to Dodger Stadium. The more than 4,000 attendees enjoyed unique access to the iconic ballpark, with activities spanning from the nearby lots and Centerfield Plaza to the warning track and dugouts.
Attendees had the chance to meet Dodger Alumni, take photos with the 2020 World Series trophy, and tour the stadium. The event also provided valuable health screenings and educational resources, with giveaways from various sponsors and partners. Participants engaged in a multitude of hands-on activities, enhancing the experience for everyone involved. This year’s PlayerFest highlighted the impact of the Dodgers Dreamteam program, which serves more Los Angeles youth each year thanks to expanded partnerships and a commitment to creating a lasting impact on the community. By the end of its 11th season, the Dodgers Dreamteam will have reached 13,000 youth across 99 locations, marking an 18% increase over the previous year.
“I think it’s a great event for the community and for the kids to have this opportunity to be a part of something like this. It’s definitely a life experience for all of these kids,” said Melissa H., a Dodgers Dreamteam parent.
“Dodgers Dreamteam grows in popularity year after year,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “Through exceptional programming beyond baseball and softball, we provide resources for those who need them most. PlayerFest celebrates families from across Los Angeles as we open Dodger Stadium to them for an unforgettable day.”
The event was particularly special for the Dodgers Dreamteam participants and their families from communities including Compton, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Watts, Inglewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, East LA, South LA, and the San Gabriel Valley. PlayerFest united program sponsors and partners to help foster a memorable experience for youth, celebrating the breaking of barriers and creating equitable opportunities for Los Angeles’ most marginalized populations. The event offered crucial resources and assistance to families in the program, where 59% of households have an income below $40,000.
Bank of America returned as the presenting sponsor of PlayerFest and Dodgers Dreamteam Community Ambassador Sponsor, along with additional sponsors such as ARCO, Beyond Sport, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California Masonic Foundation, Coca-Cola, Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation, LA84 Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, SoCalGas, Nike, and UCLA Health. “It’s always exciting when Dodger Stadium becomes a playground for thousands of youth to have fun, learn, and receive vital access to resources every Angeleno deserves,” said Maria Arias, senior vice president of Community Relations at Bank of America. “We’re proud to once again rally behind the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation with our more than 250 local Bank of America employees who volunteer to make this year’s PlayerFest the best yet.”
Free resources at PlayerFest included food items provided by the LA Regional Food Bank, Dodger Dogs from Papa Cantella’s, water from Dasani, UCLA Health screenings, and eye exams from Vision to Learn. Activities included baseball and softball instruction through the Dodgers Training Academy, coach recruitment opportunities from the Positive Coaching Alliance, and various activations from partners such as LADWP, LA County Public Works, LA Public Library, Los Angeles Football Club, LA Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, PlayLA, SoCal Gas, Up2Us Sports, and USC College Advising Corps.
Dodgers Dreamteam is a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities facing social injustices. LADF collaborates with 16 affiliate partners to deliver sports-based programming and wrap-around services for 13,000 youth while supporting communities and families across the city. As interest in the program continues to grow, LADF aims to serve 25,000 youth annually by 2030, offering an inclusive, barrier-free youth development program for underserved communities that might not otherwise participate. Participants receive free uniforms and access to baseball and softball equipment, and parents and coaches are trained to create a supportive social and emotional learning environment.
For more information about the Dodgers Dreamteam, please visit Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam.
Dodgers Dreamteam PlayerFest: A Day of Fun and Impact at Dodger Stadium was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.