Athletes for Hope (AFH) CHAMPS program in Los Angeles partnered with Under Armour and the Kelsey Plum Foundation at the Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) community center, with WNBA star Kelsey Plum helping to inspire the next generation of student-athletes. Together, we delivered an experience that combined mental health tools, physical activity, and real-life inspiration for local middle schoolers.

CHAMPS in Action

The CHAMPS program rooted in values like Courage, Honesty, Accountability, Mindfulness, Positivity, and Strength is designed to empower kids with both mental and physical health skills. At this event, AFH’s Dr. Mena Mirhom, Chief Wellbeing Officer, kicked things off with an age-appropriate conversation focused on CHAMPS pillars. The discussion helped middle schoolers build practical strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and self-esteem while reinforcing the importance of character on and off the court.

Following Dr. Mirhom’s talk, Kelsey Plum joined in for a brief, candid conversation about her own mental health journey. By sharing her perspective as a professional athlete, Plum made the topic approachable and relatable for the young athletes in the room, reinforcing that caring for your mind is just as important as training your body.

As with every CHAMPS session, AFH integrated a physical activity to tie lessons back to sport. With the energy high, Plum led the students through a fun, basketball-inspired exercise, showing how teamwork, movement, and mindfulness can all work together to support overall wellbeing.

Building a Stronger Future Together

Thanks to the support of the KPF and Under Armour, this CHAMPS event was more than a clinic—it was a powerful example of what happens when athletes, brands, and communities come together.

AFH is proud to bring CHAMPS into spaces like this, where athletes and partners can make a lasting impact on the lives of youth by building stronger, healthier, and more resilient young athletes on and off the court.