Play, Connect, Thrive: LoveSetPlay App!

K-12 STEAM education

East LA South LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) San Gabriel Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

In Los Angeles, youth in underserved neighborhoods face growing barriers to physical activity and wellness. Fewer than 1 in 4 children meet the CDC’s recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise, and in LA County, over 35% of low-income youth are overweight or obese. Access to safe, affordable, and structured recreation is uneven, with many families citing cost, safety concerns, and limited transportation as major barriers. LAUSD data also shows persistent disparities in physical education access. As youth spend more time online, few digital tools exist to encourage real-world activity, healthy habits, or social connection. These challenges are urgent and interconnected. Without intervention, we risk worsening health inequities, rising mental health issues, and disconnection across communities. We must act now to create tech-forward, accessible, and community-driven wellness solutions that empower LA’s youth to move, connect, and thrive.

The LoveSetPlay App is a mobile platform created by LoveSetMatch to boost youth wellness and community connection through sports, fitness, and education. Designed for children ages 6 to 17 and their families, the app centralizes access to local fitness events, free or low-cost sports programs, youth training tools, and wellness workshops in Los Angeles. It helps users discover nearby athletes, coaches, and programs based on location, sport, and skill level, with built-in messaging for easy coordination.
Unique features include an interactive leaderboard that rewards activity, a peer-nominated recognition system to encourage positivity, in-app wellness education, volunteer hour tracking, and parental controls. Youth can set goals, journal progress, and receive digital badges for engagement. All content is monitored for safety and tailored for inclusive, family-friendly use.
LoveSetPlay addresses barriers such as cost, awareness, and motivation by combining technology, gamification, and community to make sports and wellness accessible, fun, and impactful for LA youth. It offers structure, safety, and a sense of belonging at a time when it's needed most.

The free LoveSetPlay App will collaborate with various organizations and stakeholders to support the project including LA County Parks and Recreation through our Core and Community partnership. Key partners include local sports organizations and schools, which will integrate it into their programs. Community centers will assist in organizing events and workshops. Technology partners are providing expertise in app development and security. We have already received small in kind technology grants from google, Microsoft and OKTA to further the app development. Additionally, health and wellness experts will contribute to the creation of STEAM based educational content. These partnerships will play a crucial role in expanding the app's reach and ensuring its success. If the development of the LoveSetPlay app is successful, Los Angeles County will see a meaningful and measurable shift in youth wellness, community engagement, and access to sports education—especially in underserved areas.