LADF’s youth development program renamed to Dodgers Dreamteam
by Rowan Kavner
Dodgers RBI is now Dodgers Dreamteam.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation unveiled the new name of their sports-based youth development program on Thursday in an announcement at the Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium.
LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman, Dodger Owner and LADF Board Member Earvin “Magic” Johnson, former Dodger first baseman Adrián González and County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation Director Norma Edith Garcia-González all took part in the announcement, which included a new Dodgers Dreamteam logo and jerseys for the youth participants.
Dodgers RBI was launched in 2014 to provide an inclusive sports program addressing basic needs in challenged communities around Los Angeles. Dodgers Dreamteam represents a new chapter in LADF’s mission of supporting youth development through sport.
“Each day, I wake up motivated knowing that the work that we do will have generational impact,” Whiteman said. “Kids and families who we serve deserve our dedication. They deserve our advocacy. They deserve for us to fight for them day in and day out. As we slowly create a new reality after such a brutal two years, LADF will not waver in our mission to uplift Angelenos, especially during the most challenging times.”
This season, LADF will work with 13 partners to deliver services to 12,000 kids across the city, giving them access to top-quality baseball and softball programs. LADF will provide all necessary equipment and uniforms, staffing, umpires and field maintenance. Dodgers Dreamteam strives to increase participation of underrepresented groups, specifically Black youth, girls, and teenagers.
The program will also include community resource fairs (Dodger Days) to provide opportunities for families to receive basic needs, food and healthcare resources, access and exposure to educational opportunities, fitness and nutrition clinics, leadership development training, baseball and softball clinics, parent workshops and more.
Looking forward, Dodgers Dreamteam hopes to serve 25,000 kids by 2030 while building confidence and strategies for success for the participants.
“It’s not about your neighborhood, your zip code, the color of your skin,” Johnson said. “We just want to impact people’s lives, and we will continue to do just that.”
More information, as well as the chance to register, volunteer or donate, is available at Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam.
