Education Workshops Archives - Athletes for Hope

Join us for our annual Play for Good Gala on December 7!

Washington Mystics Athlete Education Workshop

Washington Mystics Athlete Education Workshop

Earlier this week, Athletes for Hope CEO Ivan Blumberg facilitated a Causeway 1.0 workshop with the Washington Mystics. During the interactive workshop, the Mystics players shared ideas about several topics such as whether athletes have an obligation to give back to their communities. Additionally, the players learned about each of the stops on the Causeway map, which helps to guide athletes in their philanthropic involvement.

As a partner of NBA Cares, AFH takes a large role in providing a philanthropic education curriculum for the players in both leagues and AFH also helps to connect players to charitable opportunities that match their passions. At this workshop, 100% of the players signed up as Athletes for Hope members and we look forward to helping them further their passions in giving back to the community!

The Aspen Institute’s Project Play Roundtable

Held on the cusp of the Partnership for Healthier America Summit, and underwritten by Nike through its Designed to Move initiative, the roundtable:

  • Explored opportunities and strategies for organizations funding sport and physical activities
  • Identified new opportunities to grow resources
  • Considered the role of government and private industry in allocation of existing resources

“Athletes for Hope is excited to be part of a select group that is committed to exploring ways we can improve the health of children through physical fitness,” Blumberg said. “Children and physical fitness are the two biggest charitable passions of over 2,000 professional and Olympic AFH athletes, and we are looking forward to mobilizing our network to make a positive impact in the lives of America’s youth.”

Congratulations on this fantastic opportunity and we can’t wait to see the impact that comes out of the institute this year.

AFH conducts workshop for 2013 NBA Rookies

For the second straight year, Athletes for Hope led the NBA rookies in a workshop about their philanthropic involvement as part of the 2013 NBA Rookie Transition Program.

Athletes for Hope CEO Ivan Blumberg led the workshop and helped facilitate a discussion with the players as they shared ideas about several topics, including a conversation about the differences between obligation, responsibility, and opportunity as it relates to giving back. Additionally, the players debated the pros and cons of starting a foundation and discussed the multitude of other ways that allow them to make a difference in their communities.

As an NBA partner, AFH takes a large role in providing a philanthropic education curriculum for the players and AFH also helps connect the players to charitable organizations that match their passions.  At this year’s workshop, nearly 100% of the players signed up as Athletes for Hope members and we look forward to helping them further their passion in giving back to the community!

Athletes for Hope Facilitates Workshop for Boston Breakers

For the fourth time in five years, Athletes for Hope facilitated a philanthropy education workshop for the Boston Breakers players and coaches.  Several players in the room have worked with AFH over a number of years, including US National Team star Heather O’Reilly, Cat Whitehill, and Kia McNeil.

Cat kicked off the workshop by introducing AFH and talked a little bit about her wide range of charitable involvement, such as visiting hospitals, animal care centers, and boys and girls clubs.  The players then discussed variety of important issues such as the value of their time vs. money and if their level of fame plays a role in their charitable involvement.  AFH also led a discussion about how athletes can think critically about charitable causes and many of the Breakers players shared personal accounts of why they are passionate about particular charities and causes.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience for both the players and AFH, and we can’t wait to come back again next season!

Brewers Get a Visit From Boxing Legend Ali

Milwaukee Brewers players and coaches got a treat Wednesday morning when boxing legend Muhammad Ali visited Maryvale Baseball Park.

The visit was coordinated by the Brewers Community Foundation and Athletes for Hope, a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by an elite group of philanthropic athletes who inspire other pros to find a charitable cause and support it. Ali’s wife, Lonnie, addressed the team before players and coaches posed for photos with the champ.

“His wife said this: ‘With the personality that he had, he’s recognized around the world maybe more than any other person,'” manager Ron Roenicke said. “[Players] are all getting their photos [taken with him]. Hey, this guy was incredible.”

By Adam McCalvy – MLB.com

AFH Facilitates Workshops for US Ski & Snowboard Team and Washington Spirit

Athletes for Hope has had a busy summer! AFH kicked off the summer season when AFH VP Jason Belinkie traveled to Salt Lake City, UT to conduct a workshop as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Rookie Camp.  The rookie camp featured skiers and snowboarders who had just been named to the national team as the athletes ranged from ages 14-29 years old.  During the discussion, the athletes discussed a variety of important issues such as the value of their time vs. money and if their level of fame plays a role in their charitable involvement.

For the fourth time in the last five years, AFH facilitated a workshop for the Washington Spirit players. Several of the players, such as star midfielder Jordan Angeli, have worked with AFH for a number of years as they have volunteered at a variety of charities such as children’s hospitals and boys and girls clubs.  During the workshop, the players who had previously worked with AFH shared their perspective gained over the years of their involvement while all of the players discussed important issues around their philanthropic involvement.

Over the coming weeks, Athletes for Hope will be facilitating workshops for the WTA, Tulane University varsity sports teams, Olympic Ski and Snowboard team, and the NBA rookie class of 2014.  Stay tuned for updates about each of these workshops soon!