Andrew Whitworth Unveils New Challengers Field

Feb 02, 2023

Super Bowl LVI Champion and the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Andrew Whitworth has allocated his $250,000 donation, courtesy of the NFL Foundation and Nationwide, to refurbish the track and field at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles - Challengers Clubhouse. With support from Cedars-Sinai and Bridgestone, the refurbishment includes a new 50-yard turf field, new bleachers, shaded and covered seating areas and updated signage to contribute to the future of the young athletes who call Challengers Clubhouse home. Today, the field is being unveiled during a celebratory ribbon-cutting at 4:00 p.m. PT, with remarks from Andrew Whitworth, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Patrick Mahoney, Executive Director of Women’s and Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Cindy Chavira, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Services at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Michelle Souza, and Bridgestone Retail Operations Region Manager Brandon Gleason. The Rams will host a free football clinic focusing on NFL combine and fundamental position drills for more than 100 local youth served by Challengers Clubhouse following the ribbon cutting.

 

Serving over 150 kids per day, the Challengers Clubhouse has the only track and field in the community and is a home for local football games, track & field tournaments, summer camps and sport clinics. In addition, the track and field is used by 300 elementary students from ICEF (Inner City Education Foundation) Innovation Los Angeles Charter School every morning. Since 1968, Challengers Clubhouse has served more than 34,000 youth.

“I have had the opportunity to be involved with Boys & Girls Clubs my entire NFL career making this field dedication incredibly meaningful to me,” said Andrew Whitworth, 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. “Whether outside Cincinnati or in South LA, the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs is a constant in the lives of kids who need it most. Today is about more than a field, this is about locking arms with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles and joining them in their daily investment in our youth.”   


Four-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro Andrew Whitworth was a core pillar of the Rams offense, becoming the first 40-year-old offensive lineman to start an NFL game in nearly two decades. Whitworth recorded 239 career games with 235 starts during his 16-year NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, exhibiting tremendous excellence on the field and outstanding community service off the field. His work in the community addresses the often-unseen issues that continue to plague underserved communities in Los Angeles and beyond.

 

“We are grateful to Andrew Whitworth for supporting our South LA youth and to the Rams, Cedars-Sinai and Bridgestone for their commitment to furthering BGCMLA’s mission to create safe spaces for our youth to learn, grow and play,” said Patrick Mahoney, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles.

 

The new field will serve as a site for the newly established and free Los Angeles Rams Flag Football League that will kick off at the end of the month. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the league will serve more than 300 youth (ages 5-14) from eight Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Southern California. Each league will feature an 8-week season. The Rams will provide reversible flag jerseys, flag belts, footballs and coaching resource guides for the league.

 

The launch of the flag league will be paired with a content piece highlighting the efforts of Andrew Whitworth, the Los Angeles Rams, Cedars-Sinai and Bridgestone, and the impact the refurbished field will have on the community.

 

“As the official health partner of the Los Angeles Rams, Cedars-Sinai is excited to collaborate with the Rams to support year-round programming at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles to further enrich health education and empower families and youth to put their health and wellbeing first,” said Cindy Chavira, MBA, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Services at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. “This comes at a particularly auspicious time for Cedars-Sinai as we increase our commitment to children’s health through Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s and the recently opened Pediatric Unit, a new facility dedicated to pediatric patients and their families offering highly specialized care.”

 

Bridgestone, official tire sponsor of the Los Angeles Rams, has proudly supported Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 2015. They are committed to supporting the Challengers Clubhouse, including this field and other initiatives. At the event, Bridgestone announced an additional $10,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles. “Thanks to the dedication of Andrew Whitworth and the LA Rams, Club youth in Metro Los Angeles will have a safe place to play and build a strong community,” said Brandon Gleason, Region Manager, Bridgestone Retail Operations. “We are so proud of the impact our Boys & Girls Clubs Driving Great Futures partnership has made nationwide over the past seven years, and we are grateful to help make an impact right here in LA.”

Boys & Girls CLubs of Metro Los Angeles 14th Annual Charity Poker Tournament

Over $52,000 Fundraised during 14th Annual Charity Poker Tournament

30 Apr, 2024
Los Angeles, CA (April 30, 2024) - In the heart of April, Hollywood Park Casino was abuzz with the spirited energy of the 14th Annual Charity Poker Tournament: All in for the Kids. With over 60 avid participants and spectators, the event unfolded as a remarkable showcase of poker skill, all rallying behind a noble cause - funding vital youth programs. The generosity displayed transcended the gaming tables, as we collectively fundraised over $52,000 throughout the evening. "Each hand played at our tournament is a hand dealt towards brighter futures for the young people we serve," said Patrick Mahoney, CEO & President of BGCMLA. "Through the generous support of our participants, sponsors, and community members, we can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most." Thank you to everyone that played, donated, and supported us from afar! A round of applause is due to our Poker Tournament champions: Jasmine Ali, Jonnie Kedj , and Mark Silverman , who clinched victory amidst stiff competition. Each victor was given the choice of our prizes - the SpeedVegas Package, LA Rams Package, or LA Dodgers Package. We are also so grateful to our incredible volunteers, Daria Hall , Luke Schlake , and Damien Tuffereau ! Their flexibility, quick thinking, and organization made our event a streamlined success. Together, we pulled off an fruitful event that shows just how dedicated our community is to supporting and empowering the next generation.

Empowering Youth Through Music with Sony Music & Notes for Notes

09 Apr, 2024
Febuary 1 , 2024 (Watts, CA) - As we commemorate our one year anniversary with Sony Music Group's Beyond The Instrument initiative and Notes for Notes, we are thrilled to once again swing open the doors of our recording studio at Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club. This collaborative effort, established in 2023, continues to serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity for club members eager to nurture their musical talents and aspirations. At the heart of this initiative lies a profound commitment to nurturing the next generation of music creators. Through a year-round program, students are granted free access to musical instruments, instruction, and state-of-the-art recording equipment. This holistic approach empowers them to develop not only as artists but also as producers, engineers, and composers for film and TV. As part of our annual program, leading up to the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards, we invited Sony Music Group artists, songwriters, producers, and composers to the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles. Here, they engaged with students, sharing insights and experiences while marveling at the diverse array of projects spanning podcasting, rock bands, film scoring, production, and songwriting. 

Genesis C.: The Rose that Grew from Concrete

01 Mar, 2024
Genesis, a resilient young woman who has faced numerous challenges since childhood, continues to inspire with her determination and accomplishments. Raised in a single-mother household with limited income, she endured not only financial hardship but also the trauma of physical abuse. However, her story took a turn for the better when she found refuge and support at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) in the Watts/Willowbrook community. Through BGCMLA, Genesis found opportunities to enrich her education, advocate for herself and her community, and contribute positively to society. Engaging in programs like College Bound, Power Hour, Keystone, and the Social Justice Club, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery and activism. Genesis became a vocal advocate for environmental justice, using platforms like podcasts and surveys to raise awareness and effect change.

Ross Dress for Less® to Help Local Kids Thrive in Los Angeles

08 Feb, 2024
10th Annual In-store fundraiser to provide support to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles

BGCMLA Receives $25,000 Grant from Kohl’s National Giveback Initiative

29 Nov, 2023
Los Angeles, November 28, 2023 — During Giving Tuesday, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles received a $25,000 grant toward our mission of creating safe spaces for youth to learn, explore, achieve, and dream! Kohl’s grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles was made through the company’s National Giveback Initiative, which provides associates with the opportunity to nominate a nonprofit they’re passionate about for a $25,000 grant. Through the initiative, Kohl’s will donate grants to selected nonprofits nationwide, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to family health and wellness. The full list of selected grant recipients is available on Corporate.Kohls.com. Donations are made possible through the Kohl’s Cares Goods for Good merchandise program, which sells children’s books and toys and donates 100 percent of the net profit to charitable organizations across the country. About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) was formed in 2015 with a deep history of impact across the metro Los Angeles area. In 2023, two of the county’s most enduring clubs— BGCMLA and Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice – joined together to deepen our collective impact. As community staples since the sixties, BGCMLA now consists of seven locations, uplifting and servicing communities such as Challengers in South Los Angeles, Bell Gardens, Watts-Willowbrook, and Venice, as well as school sites. Staffed by caring and committed professional adult mentors, the clubs offer proven programs to bolster academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. For more information, please visit our website at www.bgcmla.org.

The Comeback Court Comes to Challengers Boys & Girls Club

19 Nov, 2023
LOS ANGELES, Nov 19. 2023 -- The Challengers Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles recently celebrated the opening of their fifth Comebaq Court in partnership with the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and Icy Hot. This collaboration aims to inspire young athletes and provide safe and accessible spaces for children in underserved communities. With the support of the Lakers Youth Foundation, the new Comebaq Court offers Club members an upgraded basketball space to enhance their skills and enjoy their favorite sport. Shaquille O'Neal, a Boys & Girls Club alumni and legendary basketball player, has always recognized the importance of restoring basketball courts and crea ting safe places for children to play. "Restoring basketball courts and creating safe places for kids to play has always been important to me," Shaquille O'Neal said. "I was a kid at the Boys & Girls Club once, and the community supported me beyond just sports. I'm thrilled to celebrate the opening of this Comebaq Court at Challengers Boys & Girls Club for our kids to enjoy, as we ensure the next generation has access to safe places like these to follow their dreams."
photo of SNL alumni performers and Andrew Whitworth

Stronger Together 2023 Gala Fundraises Over $682,000 for Youth Programs

23 Oct, 2023
October 21, 2023 (Los Angeles) - A gathering of philanthropists, business and entertainment community leaders, local dignitaries, and supporters occurred at Vibiana in Los Angeles. The occasion was the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles’ (BGCMLA) Stronger Together Annual Gala, which raised over $682,000 to support academic and enrichment programs for BGCMLA youth across Greater Los Angeles.

BGCMLA Awarded Panda Cares Grant to Boost Youth Academic Success

25 Sep, 2023
September 25, 2023 (Los Angeles, CA) - Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) has been selected by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to receive $60,000 in funding to drive academic success for youth. This grant will be used to support in-person academic programming through Project Learn at the Club's sites and to sustain the Clubs' Panda Cares Center of Hope.
BGC representatives holding check for $24 million

BGCMLA Announces $780,000 Gift from Ballmer Group

21 Jul, 2023
Grant is part of significant $24 million investment in Boys & Girls Clubs in LA County

Poker Players Raise Over $45k for Local Youth

25 Jun, 2023
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) hosted their 13th Annual Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, June 24th at the Motoring Club Los Angeles. The event, which featured a no-limit Texas hold'em tournament, raised over $45,000 for BGCMLA's youth development programs. Over 60 poker players and spectators participated in the tournament, which was won by Norbi N ., Leslie B ., and Michelle S . The winners each chose a prize from a selection of donated items, including a driving experience for two at Speed Vegas, round-trip charter tickets for two with Surf Air, and LA Rams tickets for two with an autographed jersey from Aaron Donald. A raffle was also held at the event, with the winner, TJ D., taking home two magnums of wine and four wine tastings courtesy of Austin Hope Winery in Paso Robles. The generosity of the tournament's attendees helped BGCMLA raise much-needed funds for its youth development programs. These programs provide life-changing opportunities for Los Angeles youth, such as ongoing access to academic enrichment programs, social-emotional wellness support, opportunities to develop leadership skills, and maintaining safe and supportive environments for kids and teens to learn, explore, achieve, and dream. BGCMLA is grateful to all of the sponsors and attendees who made the 13th Annual Charity Poker Tournament a success. The organization is committed to providing high-quality youth development programs to the children and teens of Metro Los Angeles, and the funds raised from this event will help make that possible.
Show More
Share by: