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Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

AFH University February 2024 Roundup

Developed in 2013, our AFH University program helps college athletes explore leadership, life skill development, advocacy, their role in the community, and how to discover their philanthropic passions. 

While February came and went in a flash, our student-athletes dedicated as much time as possible to giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.

Athletes from Davidson College, Southern University, Bowie State, Georgetown, and LSU engaged in Valentine’s Day card making, various panel discussions, celebrating Black History Month and more!

Davidson College

Continuing The Mission

The women of the Davidson field hockey team spent time at Continuing the Mission, a comprehensive assistance for veterans that provides assistance dogs and support. 

Since 2023, the team has been volunteering at Continuing the Mission where they take the dogs out, play with them, and help them socialize before they get adopted out to the veterans.

Mental Health U

During Black History Month, AFH University student-athletes from Davidson College and Southern University took part in the launch of AFH’s brand new AFH University panel series titled Mental Health U.

In Episode 1: Black History Month, the student-athletes discussed the importance of speaking out about mental health and breaking the stigma of mental health in the black community.

Hear about the mental health resources the student-athletes use on and off campus, the importance of having people you can talk to, how the stigma of mental health is changing, and more here.

Southern University

Valentine’s Day Project

This year for Valentine’s Day, student-athletes at Southern University helped spread the love as they hosted a card-making station where others could come and create cards for patients at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Once completed, the cards were hand-delivered to the hospital in time for Valentine’s Day where they were given to patients.

Black History Month Essay Contest

This year AFH partnered with the athletic departments at Southern University and Bowie State for our Black History Month Essay Contest. The contest asked high schoolers in their communities to share a story of an African American who has been an inspiration to them.

The winners from each community captured the power of perseverance and dedication in their essays. You can read both of the winning essays and learn more about this year’s winners here.

Bowie State

CHAMPS Program

In September 2023 Athletes for Hope revamped its AFH Fit and H.E.A.R.T. Curriculum to create the CHAMPS Program. CHAMPS brings athletes to underserved elementary school classrooms to teach them invaluable mental health and leadership skills alongside physical activity exercises. 

This February student-athletes from Bowie State SAAC visited Perrywood Elementary School to put on a CHAMPS session with the children at the school. CHAMPS participants were taken through workouts, a mental health Mindfulness activity and more!

CIAA Panel Series

Members of Bowie State SAAC had the pleasure of visiting the Under Armour Headquarters where they participated in a series of panel discussions with Deloitte CEO of Consulting Dan Helfrich where they discussed a day in the life of a student-athlete with high school students.

Photos Courtesy of Deloitte

The panelists kept the conversation light while providing insight on barriers to access of sport, adjusting to collegiate athletic life, how sports prepare you for professional work life, and more!

Georgetown

Night to Shine

Over 40 Georgetown student-athletes attended a Night to Shine in Washington DC. Night to Shine is a prom night experience for individuals 14 and older who have special needs and is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Black History Month Movie

February is a time when AFH University student-athletes come together to celebrate, honor, and preserve Back history.

This year during Black History Month, student-athletes at LSU hosted a movie night for their campus that honored black movie directors. Eventgoers enjoyed a myriad of movies and sparked up conversations about the contributions of the Black community to film and television.

Spring is just around the corner for our student-athletes and we cannot wait to see how they will positively impact their communities!

Athletes in Action

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

AFH University January 2024 Roundup

Developed in 2013, our AFH University program helps college athletes explore leadership, life skill development, advocacy, their role in the community, and how to discover their philanthropic passions. 

As 2024 began, our student-athletes wasted no time getting back into service projects throughout their communities.

Athletes from Georgetown, Southern University and LSU engaged in community beautification projects, served on MLK Day, and more!

Georgetown

Keep Austin Beautiful

The Georgetown women’s rowing team visited Austin the first week of January and jumped right in to help with a beautification project.

They supported a Keep Austin Beautiful project and took kayaks out with the Austin Rowing Club, as well as engaged in picking up trash and other items along the waterfront. Despite visiting another state for training, they continued their dedication to service and community.

Martha’s Table

On January 15, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, student-athletes at Georgetown University were one of the many AFH University campuses who volunteered to honor the life and legacy of Dr.King.

Student-athletes collected pantry items for their on-campus food pantry and participated in a pop-up market on MLK Jr. Avenue hosted by Martha’s Table in collaboration with the Annual MLK Day of Service Parade in Downtown, D.C.

Southern University

The Walls Project

As a part of MLK Day 2024, Southern baseball and Southern soccer participated in a three-part community service project. This year’s project was focused on beautifying the Eden Park neighborhood. Service zones consisted of revitalizing a basketball court, painting houses and murals to cleaning up blight along the streets. 

Southern baseball facilitated clean-up along the streets of the Gus Young Neighborhood while Southern soccer assisted with a beautification project at Eden Park by painting a mural on a vacant building.

On MLK Day, I got a chance to give back to the community. It is my duty as a Southern Jag and a student athlete to take opportunities to serve on such a monumental day. My teammates and I walked the streets of Baton Rouge by the MLK Center picking up trash. It always feels good giving back and I plan to continue helping every chance I get.

Qunicy Smith, Southern Baseball

Louisiana State University (LSU)

Girls On The Run

During MLK Day 2024, a group of LSU student-athletes and athletic administration members were able to build program bags designed to help young girls who are participating with Girls On The Run, a nonprofit organization that is designed to be a mentoring program and a running club that is training for a 5k.

I had the chance of facilitating our volunteers to pack running kits for elementary aged girls that are a part of the Girls On The Run program. As a female athlete, I believe that it is important to build the future generation so that they to can feel the same sense of achievement that I feel. Through this volunteer opportunity, I hope that the girls feel the care and love that their community has for them.

Shani’a Bellamy, LSU Track & Field

Empower 225: Dream Center

During MLK Day 2024, LSU student-athletes were also able to give back to the Baton Rouge area through a field day.

Volunteers facilitated a field day with Empower225: Dream Center, a program in the Baton Rouge area that aims to empower the youth in the area who are at risk of homelessness and dependency. 

It was great being able to hang out with the kids and see them having fun and smiling. I enjoyed being able to speak with some of them and give some words of encouragement.

Morgan Smalls, LSU Track & Field

As we enter into another year of AFH University, we are excited to watch all of our campuses engage their communities through various service projects throughout the year. We are so proud of all of our student-athletes whose continued dedication to positively impacting their communities is changing the world!

AFH News

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Athletes for Hope Unites in Service on MLK Day 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Athletes will step up to serve as volunteers on the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. Athletes for Hope University (AFH University) student-athletes from Georgetown University, Howard University, and Bowie State University will hold food drives for their on-campus food pantries and volunteer with local food organizations as they tackle the disparities of food insecurity, joining hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country in volunteer service.

Observed each year on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King and improve their communities. AmeriCorps has been charged with leading this effort for more than a quarter century. While much work remains to fulfill Dr. King’s dream of creating the Beloved Community, AmeriCorps remains committed to showing that joining together in service can unify Americans of different backgrounds and experiences to transform unjust systems through a fierce urgency of now.

AFH University student-athletes at Georgetown University and Howard University will collect pantry items for their respective on-campus food pantries, Hoya Hub Food Pantry, and the Store@HU. Volunteers will also participate in a pop-up market on MLK Jr. Avenue hosted by Martha’s Table in collaboration with the Annual MLK Day of Service Parade in Downtown, D.C.

“Today we answer Dr. King’s call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of D.C. residents,” said Sara Keane, Assistant Director, AFH University at Athletes for Hope. “Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy by working toward a more just and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected, regardless of their race, religion, or background. By participating in service projects, we can bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit our communities for years to come. Together, let’s unite across differences, serve with our neighbors, and transform our communities as we strive toward a brighter future for all.”

AFH University student-athletes at Bowie State University will be participating in an event in conjunction with their on-campus food pantry, the Nutrition Lounge. In addition to the pantry event, the University is partnering with RISE Against Hunger to prepare and package up to 20,000 meals for those in need across the greater Washington, D.C. community.

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve,” Dr. King said. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Whether you plan on cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, training tutors, or assisting those who are food insecure or unhoused, what you do makes a world of difference. Find opportunities to volunteer for MLK Day of Service and engage with your community while honoring the legacy of Dr. King at AmeriCorps.gov/MLKDay. 

For media inquiries please contact Diana Venezia, dvenezia@athletesforhope.org, (908) 462-4189

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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 AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AFH Staff Piece

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit by Giving Back to Others

By Mattis Koch, Mental Health Research & Digital Media Intern

As the Giving Season approaches, athletes from various sports are coming together to make a difference in their communities through volunteering and giving back.

“It’s all about bringing holiday cheer and bringing resources and support for people that need it,” said NBA star and 2021 AFH Community Hero Award recipient Stephen Curry.

Athletes for Hope is dedicated to encouraging and aiding athletes across all levels to use their platform to create lasting change in their communities through the holiday season and beyond. 

Volunteering During the Holiday Season

In addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity, the significant surge in volunteerism during the holiday season, both nationally and within the athletic community, reflects a shared commitment to making a positive impact. According to HandsOn Connect (2021), non-profit organizations experience a remarkable 50% increase in volunteers during the holiday season compared to the yearly average. This spirit of giving extends to the world of athletics, where professional and collegiate athletes actively engage in philanthropic opportunities. Sports teams often participate in initiatives addressing food insecurity, including our AFH University student-athletes at Georgetown University, where soccer, rowing, and softball teams packed over 1,000 sandwiches that were donated in the local D.C. area.

A Georgetown student-athlete prepares a sandwich.
Sandwhiches packed for Martha's Table, a nonprofit in Washington D.C.
Georgetown student-athletes work together to package sandwiches made.

However, despite these commendable efforts, the challenges of food insecurity persist, demanding continued attention and action. More than 44 million people in the US face hunger, including 1 in 5 children (Feeding America). Hunger occurs for people from all walks of life but doesn’t affect everyone equally. Groups like children, seniors, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color face hunger at higher rates. With regards to athletics, up to 60% of Division I collegiate athletes are food insecure (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics). 

As Minnesota Vikings player and AFH Community Hero of the Week Dalton Risner mentioned in our athlete spotlight ,“We may not be stopping world hunger but we are making a positive impact one day at a time without turning down opportunities to do more.”

Dalton Risner smiles between two other volunteers.

How can you help? Consider volunteering at your local food pantry and participating in charitable opportunities in your community. Educating and advocating also play a crucial role in addressing food security. Donating to organizations such as Stephen Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation or local nonprofits that focus on tackling the disparities of food insecurity in their communities. By coming together and taking action, we can work towards a more equitable and hunger-free future for all.

Get Involved with Athletes for Hope

Often, athletes want to make a positive difference in the world, but they don’t always know how to begin or how to turn their charitable passions into action. If you are a current or former athlete whose 2024 resolution is to give back to your community, Athletes for Hope is here to help.

Our Causeway takes the form of a road map to illustrate an athlete’s journey through the world of philanthropy. Contrary to an athlete’s competitive spirit, their philanthropic journey along the Causeway is not a race. Each athlete proceeds at their own pace as Athletes for Hope guides them every step of the way.

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AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: Updated: by Hannah Bronkema

October 2023 | Student-Athlete & Team of the Month

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we are able to acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

During the month of October, our Student-Athlete and Team of the Month challenged the status quo on what it means to serve as they created a holistic community with their peers and engaged in regular service in their North Carolina community.

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our October Student-Athlete of the Month is Erin Junkmann from Georgetown University. Erin is a community builder across the Georgetown campus, connecting others with mental health resources and creating other holistic ways to engage with peers.

“Erin has worked to connect the Georgetown female student-athletes in her role as president of the SAAC with opportunities to speak about mental health and connect with the brand SPRHA to unpack the shared aspects of the female student-athlete experience that impact performance, such as uniforms impacting the way we feel and care about our bodies thus limiting the way we play.

Erin has done a tremendous job creating a community and opportunities to connect with one another in a meaningful way, promoting our holistic well-being. Erin is also someone who consistently shows up to every athletic game she can watch on campus and unconditionally cheers on her fellow Hoyas.“

Team of the Month

The October Team of the Month is the Davidson field hockey team. Together the team has positively impacted their community in North Carolina through regular visits to Continuing the Mission.

“For the past three weeks, Davidson Field Hockey has been regularly visiting Continuing the Mission, an organization that trains dogs for veterans. They have been going 3-4 times a week to help with the animals and spend time training and playing with the puppies.

Their consistent service with the organization has been a tremendous help by exposing the dogs to different scenarios and aspects of life so that they make great partners to the veterans they will be adopted to.”

We are so proud of all of our AFH University campuses for the work they are doing to better their own communities each day!

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: Updated: by jbelinkie

November & December Student-Athlete & Team of the Month

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we are able to acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

“Community service to me is all about creating meaningful connections. Giving back is a great way to strengthen ties with an amazing community that has given my team and I so much. It brings me a great deal of happiness to be able to make the slightest difference in someone’s day. I hope to continue to stay involved with the community through all of the connections that I have been able to make playing at Southern University“

Londyn Lau, Southern Softball ’22

November 2022

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our November student-athlete of the month is Helen Feldmeth from Georgetown University. This AFH intern has gone above and beyond to connect her rowing team and other athletes to service.

“Helen has been consistently involved with service on and off of campus. She single-handedly started a letter-writing campaign for elderly people across the country, collecting over 170 letters written by student-athletes on Georgetown’s campus. Not only has she been a leader in service she is also still in training with the women’s rowing program. Her attitude and determination towards AFH U and service in her community have not gone unnoticed!”

Team of the Month

Our November team of the month was none other than Bowie State University’s women’s basketball team. During the holiday season, this team set new standards for service and also rose to the challenge during the Bowie State athletics canned food drive.


“This team stood out, having the most canned goods for the November food drive amongst all the other sports teams and donating to the local food bank. They were a huge factor in collecting over 50 lbs. of food for the local food bank. Their willingness to participate and their enthusiasm for the cause was incredibly inspirational!”

December 2022

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our December student-athlete of the month is Londyn Lau from Southern University. She has been an integral part of service in the Baton Rouge community and has been a leader alongside her softball team since she was a freshman.

“Londyn Lau has been an active community service leader alongside her team Southern Softball for the last 4 years. She has been involved in several initiatives such as our 9/11 Emergency Preparedness events, MLK Day of Service, Miracle League, OLOL hospital visits, and Progress Elementary school visits. In honor of Thanksgiving, this year we served at a series of events happening in Baton Rouge. Londyn helped with set up for the Council on Aging’s Thanksgiving Luncheon. While her team traveled home for the holiday, she insisted on serving alone and assisting with meal prep for St.Vincent De Paul’s annual holiday dinner.”

Team of the Month

The December team of the month was none other than Georgetown Track & Field. Aside from making time to do team community service, they have given the gift of gear to young athletes around the D.C. area- and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon!

“The Georgetown Track and Field Team sat down for a letter-writing activity and wrote 65 letters to be delivered to senior citizens in need of love from the community. The team has also maintained a gear collection box in their locker, mainly donating shoes and other gently used items.”

We are so proud of all of our student-athletes and teams as they continue to pour into their communities through meaningful philanthropic work.