Athletes for Hope Receives 9/11 Day of Service Grant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.- [April 24, 2023] On April 21, 2023, Athletes for Hope (AFH) launched their first emergency preparedness volunteer service opportunity thanks to a $10,000 grant by The Arc of the U.S. and AmeriCorps.
Last Friday, Athletes for Hope’s Southern Sports Philanthropy Certificate Program (SPCP) were able to engage over 100 students at Progress Elementary in Baton Rouge at an inclusive field day that promoted physical activity, provided fire safety, and encouraged fun learning ahead of Louisiana Leap testing.
With over 25 volunteers from Southern University Athletics, the Baton Rouge Fire Department, ASL On The Bluff, and the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Athletes for Hope was able to increase community safety, preparedness, and resilience in case of a disaster.
“We are honored to be one of the recipients again of the 9/11 Day of Service grant. We understand that every community has unique needs, and we are eager to support and strengthen Baton Rouge as we lead inclusive service projects that focus on emergency preparedness throughout the duration of the grant,” said Suzanne Potts, LMSW, MPH, Chief Wellbeing Officer at AFH. “It is through these service projects that we know that we can make our community stronger and better for decades to come.”
Athletes for Hope has committed to engaging 40+ community members in more than 400 hours of service over the course of the grant period and will hold a 9/11 Day of Service this September.
For media inquiries, please contact: Kylie Reeves (kreeves@athletesforhope.org, 919-593-7975)
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About Athletes for Hope
Founded by Muhammad Ali, Andre Agassi, Mia Hamm, and nine other elite athletes in 2006, Athletes for Hope (AFH) is a cause-neutral non-profit that educates, encourages, and empowers athletes to find their passions and use their time to positively engage with their communities. Over the past 16 years, AFH has educated more than 12,000 professional, Olympic, Paralympic, and collegiate athletes through its Causeway workshop series, and helped athletes volunteer with hundreds of underserved schools and impactful community organizations through core programs that focus on helping underserved children become more physically active, changing the public stigma around mental health, and brightening the lives of children in hospitals. Through their dedication and passion for doing good, AFH athletes have positively impacted the lives of millions around the world.
About The Arc
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and serving them and their families. We work tirelessly to uphold our vision that every individual and family living with IDD in the United States has access to the information, advocacy, and skills they need to support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Learn more at TheArc.org.