Wave Staff Report
INGLEWOOD — The committee that will stage next February’s Super Bowl with the National Football league has recognized 56 community and nonprofits organizations as part of the official Super Bowl LVI Legacy Program.
Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee hosted representatives of the 56 organizations at SoFi Stadium where it was announced that the organizations would receive a $10,000 grant, a professionally produced vignette-style video spotlighting the organization and public recognition in the lead-up to the Super Bowl.
“The organizations recognized here today embody the very best of what our city has to offer,” committee Chairman Casey Wasserman said during the event. “And we’re thrilled to see them benefit from the Super Bowl’s far-reaching economic and philanthropic legacy.”
Six of the 56 organizations will receive a total grant award of $50,000 to make an even bigger impact in their community. The additional grant awards will be announced later this year.
Each of the 56 organizations were chosen by the Super Bowl LVI Legacy Program from throughout Los Angeles County by a public nomination process which called on Angelenos to nominate “the changemakers, inspiration leaders and those who embody the diversity of our region.”
Some of the 56 are focused on specific neighborhoods and communities within the region, including South Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Crenshaw, Marina Del Rey, Hollywood, Inglewood, Long Beach, Burbank, Venice, Watts and Compton.
According to Renata Simril, president and CEO of the LA84 Foundation, the selected organizations were drawn from than 400 nominees.
Simril said n she remembered her and Wasserman’s pitch to NFL owners five years ago on L.A. hosting Super Bowl LVI being about not only hosting a game, “but the boundless possibilities that is Los Angeles,” as well as the power of sport and major sporting events “to make our city better, one kid and one community at a time.”
“Through the Champions Live Here Legacy Program, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee is harnessing the tremendous spotlight of the Super Bowl to recognize and elevate the spirit of access and opportunity that these 56 unsung hero organizations bring to the families and the communities they serve,” Simril said.
Representatives from each organization walked out onto the field as they were introduced by “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Kevin Frazier, who emceed the event. After they took their seats along the west sideline, Frazier welcomed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay to the stage to offer congratulations, discuss the importance of community and talk about the upcoming season.
Stafford understands the importance of using his visibility to set an example for others, knowing that if people see him doing something positive out in the community, it might inspire them to do the same.
“I think the biggest thing for [my wife] Kelly and myself, when we were trying to figure out what we wanted to do in Detroit, is we wanted to be passionate about it,” Stafford said. “I feel like when you’re passionate about something, that’s when you do the best job.
“It’s the easiest way to affect change when you really believe in what you’re doing. We’ll search high and low to figure out what we want to dive into, make sure we make an impact here.”
McVay said he recognizes the importance of community from his partnership with the LA84 Foundation and Play Equity Fund that began last August.
“When you pour into people, it always comes back to you, but you always feel better about yourself,” McVay said. “Because what a blessing it is to be able to do what we do, and when you use it for the right reasons, just good feelings all around, and that’s what’s so special about being a part of this community.”
One of the 56 organizations honored was PVJOBS, an organization that seeks to provide at-risk youth, adults and veterans with job training and employment opportunities.
“We are so proud to be recognized for the work PVJOBS has done in connecting at-risk youth and adults with new careers in the construction industry,” said Mary Taylor, executive director of PVJOBS. “Our participants literally helped build SoFi Stadium while rebuilding their own lives and we are incredibly thankful for partnerships like this that will enable us to amplify our message and help even more people in Los Angeles break the cycle of gangs, drugs and poverty.”
“Major events like the Super Bowl leave a lasting legacy on our communities through philanthropic programs that are focused on giving back to the host city,” said Kathryn Schloessman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. “We are proud to select these 56 organizations that are doing tremendous work in the community as part of the Super Bowl LVI Legacy Program.
“Thanks to our ChampionLA donors, the NFL Foundation, the LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund, we were able to identify the organizations that will most benefit from this grant award and the exposure from Super Bowl LVI, to further their missions.”
“Each season, the NFL Foundation looks to leave a lasting legacy in our Super Bowl host city through the Super Bowl Legacy Grant program,” said Alexia Gallagher, NFL vice president of philanthropy and executive director of NFL Foundation. “This season being no exception, we’re proud to partner with the Los Angeles Super Bowl Host Committee to identify 56 deserving nonprofits and provide them with funding, knowing that their great work and impact will be felt in the Los Angeles community long after Super Bowl LVI is played.”
Jorge: Can we figure out how to use a two-column box to list the groups below?
Selected nonprofit groups
The 56 organizations, listed, in alphabetical order, are:
2nd Call
40 Love Foundation
A New Way of Life Reentry Project
Alliance for Children’s Rights
Angel City Sports
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles
BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)
Black Cooperative Investment Fund
Brothers, Sons, Selves Coalition
Business of Student Success (BOSS)
CASA of Los Angeles
Challenged Athletes Foundation
College Match
Community Build Inc.
Covenant House California
Destination Crenshaw
East Side Riders Bike Club
Esperanza Community Housing Corporation
Food Forward
Girls Inc. of Greater Los Angeles
Harvest Home
Hollenbeck Police Activities League
Homeboy Industries
I Have A Dream Foundation – Los Angeles
InsideOUT Writers
Jenesse Center, Inc.
Jovenes
Kedren Health
Kids in the Spotlight, Inc
LA Conservation Corps
Las Fotos Project
Legacy LA Youth Development Corporation
Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice
Los Angeles Walks
Loving Hands Community Care, Inc.
Mar Vista Family Center
Mental Health Advocacy Services
Miry’s List
Operation Progress LA
Our Own Non Profit Inc.
Playa Vista Job Opportunities and Business Services
PLUS ME Project
Project Blue
Project KnuckleHead
Pukuu Cultural Community Services
Reading to Kids
Safe Place for Youth Inc
School on Wheels
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans
Sisters of Watts
Teen Line
The RightWay Foundation
Urban Peace Institute
Urban Scholar Academy
URBAN TXT: Teens Exploring Technology
Village for Vets
