The LA Galaxy Foundation has formed a new partnership with Playworks to support programming in Southern California schools during the 2017-18 school year, the club announced earlier this week. As part of the partnership, the LA Galaxy will donate adidas LA Galaxy jerseys to youth in the Playworks soccer program. Playworks, a nonprofit promoting the power of play for children before, during and after school, serves more than 40,000 children in 64 schools across Southern California.
On Thursday, Norwalk native Hugo Arellano returned to his hometown to headline a soccer clinic for students at Cesar Chavez Elementary School to celebrate LA Galaxy Foundation and Playworks newfound partnership.
“The LA Galaxy Foundation is focused on improving our local community and this partnership with Playworks is exactly what that will bring,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “They’ve done some incredible work in our backyard and we’re honored to support that.”
In addition to the new Galaxy jerseys that will be presented to youth in the soccer programs, the LA Galaxy Foundation will contribute $25,000 to Playworks during the 2017-2018 school year.”
“We are grateful to receive a $25,000 grant from the LA Galaxy Foundation,” says LaVal Brewer, Executive Director of Playworks Southern California. “Giving children the ability to participate in positive, safe, inclusive play gives them the ability to test out the world; gives them the ability to learn new skills that will carry them through the rest of their lives. It has the potential for changing our world.”
The partnership will continue on Monday, Sept. 25 when adidas, Playworks and LA Galaxy Foundation will participate in service days at local elementary schools with LA Galaxy adidas athletes leading soccer skills clinics.
Finally, Playworks will be onsite at StubHub Center for LA Galaxy II’s final match of the season on Saturday, Oct. 7 for Los Dos’ match against Portland Timbers 2. LA Galaxy Foundation and Playworks will host regionals youth soccer teams, providing them will a soccer skills development clinic and providing participating teams with new jerseys for the 2017-18 soccer season. Members of all teams out for the clinic will receive free match tickets to the LA Galaxy II game that event.
ABOUT PLAYWORKS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Playworks is the leading nonprofit leveraging the power of play before, during, and after school to transform children’s physical and emotional health. Playworks currently serves more than 64 schools and reaches more than 65,000 students directly and through professional training services in Southern California. For more information, visit www.playworks.org/socal.
