The Medicine Game for All

Play Equity to Advance Mental Health (sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

In south and central Glendale as well as other, there exists a pressing need for more accessible and affordable field space and opportunities to try new and different sports. Unfortunately, some children face financial constraints that prevent them from affording lacrosse equipment or the fees typically associated with joining a club team. These financial barriers hinder their ability to explore new sports. Underprivileged children often encounter additional challenges including mental health challenges, we see fractured family situations, parents or caregivers juggling multiple jobs, and a lack of consistent adult mentors during critical periods of their lives. Lacrosse, known as the Medicine (healing) Game, offers a suitable platform for children to address both physical and mental obstacles. Moreover, as a team sport, it fosters a sense of unity and community among the players and their coach mentors. Playing together often means we get along with others.

We currently operate three lacrosse programs catering to different age groups. Our first program focuses on introducing lacrosse to middle school-aged girls and boys. We provide comprehensive support, including funding for coaching, equipment, league fees, field space and officiating. By offering these resources, we aim to create a nurturing environment that encourages the growth and skill development of young lacrosse players, a truly recreational lacrosse experience. We transition them into our high school-aged program. Here, we continue to provide support and guidance, ensuring that they have access to quality coaching, equipment, and opportunities to participate in off-season tournaments. We believe in fostering a competitive spirit while instilling important values such as teamwork and sportsmanship. We recently helped to establish a community college lacrosse program to expand collegiate lacrosse opportunities in the area. This program aims to provide a seamless transition for high school players into collegiate club lacrosse while pursuing a college degree. With the help of the grant, we can expand our programs further. The funds will be used to provide coaching stipends, purchase equipment, tournament participation, secure field space and team insurance. Our middle school program will help form a rec league of non profit lacrosse teams that will include Black Star Lacrosse Club and Harlem Lacrosse.

The following outcomes will contribute to a healthier, connected and thriving community: Increased participation/athleticism: Our programs introduce lacrosse to girls and boys, ages 11 through 20. This leads to improved participant's athleticism, physical fitness and self confidence. Personal growth: They'll learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, perseverance and effective coping skills, fostering emotional resilience and enhancing mental health. Community engagement/cohesion: Families, friends and supporters come together to attend events, creating a sense of community and camaraderie. The social connections and networks developed through these programs improve mental well-being and a sense of belonging. College opportunities: A community college lacrosse program provides a pathway for high school players to continue their lacrosse journey at the collegiate level. This contributes to improved mental health by giving players motivation and a sense of purpose.

We are primarily measuring the impact by the retention within our program, i.e., seeing which kids are continuing to play lacrosse. At the high school level, 75% of those who continue to play started with our middle school program (50 of 70). Program expansion focus is at the middle school and high school levels, where we believe the need is the greatest. We want to increase our current participation level from 30 middle schoolers to 60. We also want to increase our current high school level from 70 participants to 90. At the community we would like to increase our participation from 15 to 30 with the goal of at least 40 participants (an ideal balance of 20 young women and 20 young men). In the past, participants have been interviewed as to why do they play lacrosse. The friendships and camaraderie are important to our participants, often supporting one another starting from the middle school years. Participants, parents and supporters will continue to be interviewed.