Launch of the national #20×20 campaign aims to bring Sport for Good to 20 cities by 2020
Press Release – NEW YORK (January 24, 2018) – Laureus USA and Nike today announced the launch of Sport for Good New York City (S4G NYC), a long-term commitment to improving the lives of underserved youth in the five boroughs of New York City through the power of sport. By bringing together nonprofit leaders, providing resources and facilitating collaboration at the local level, Sport for Good New York City will ensure more children and youth have access to high quality, youth-centered sports programs. To support the launch of S4G NYC, Laureus USA, awarded grants to eight local nonprofit organizations that use sport or physical activity to empower local youth. Olympic legend Edwin Moses helped kick off the initiative this morning at University Heights High School in the Bronx with kids from I Challenge Myself, one of the New York City grant recipients.
A panel discussion, Collective Community Impact in Sport and Youth Development, and reception recognizing the New York City grantees, S4G NYC Leadership Council and the sponsors of S4G NYC (Nike and the Harris Family Charitable Foundation), will be held at Nike’s NYC Headquarters on January 24 to officially celebrate the launch. Nike’s three-year commitment to Laureus USA for S4G NYC will support participating organizations with access to knowledge, trainings and funding.
“We believe that sport can change the world,” said Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, CEO of Laureus USA and Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field. “We are thrilled to welcome Nike as the founding partner of Sport for Good New York City to help us achieve our long-term goals of strengthening the community and improving the health and well-being of youth through the power of sport.”
“Nike is committed to getting kids moving around the world, and we’ve been helping to get kids in NYC moving for more than a decade,” said Caitlin Morris, General Manager of Nike Global Community Impact. “We know kids are made to play and when they do, they have the potential to do better in every aspect of their lives. We’re excited to be partnering with Laureus USA to launch Sport for Good New York City and extending these benefits to even more kids through a diverse range of organizations across the city who share our commitment.”
The announcement coincides with the national launch of Laureus USA’s #20×20 campaign, with a goal of bringing their Sport for Good Cities program to 20 cities by the year 2020. Laureus USA also launched the Sport for Good League, an online membership community that welcomes anyone passionate about using sport as a tool for social change to join the movement and collaborate online. People who are interested in bringing Sport for Good to their city can learn more today.
Since launching Sport for Good New Orleans in 2014, Laureus has expanded the program to Atlanta in 2017 and now, New York City. The goal is to bring the power of sport to children and youth in 20 American cities by the year 2020. By propelling communities across the US to use sport to increase physical and mental health, improve educational and employment outcomes, and address critical social justice issues, Laureus USA seeks to give life to what their founding patron Nelson Mandela proclaimed: that sport has the power to change the world.
Sport for Good New York 2017/2018 grantees include:
- Figure Skating in Harlem
- Harlem Lacrosse
- Harold Hunter Foundation
- I Challenge Myself
- New Heights Youth
- Power Play NYC
- South Bronx United
- Urban Dove
About Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA)
Laureus USA believes in the power of sport to change the world, as proclaimed by our founding patron Nelson Mandela. We are committed to using sport and physical activity to address the most challenging problems facing children and youth in America’s diverse cities. Since 2012, our efforts have positively impacted over 480,000 youth across 110 U.S. cities. We currently support the growth of 38 programs using sport to unite communities and empower youth. Laureus USA is a proud member of the global Laureus network, which includes 9 National Laureus Sport for Good Foundations, the Laureus World Sports Academy, and the Laureus World Sports Awards. Learn more about Sport for Good at www.LaureusUSA.com.
About Nike Community Impact
Nike believes in the power of sport to unleash human potential and build community. We fuel this belief through Made to Play, our commitment to getting kids moving through play and sport so that they can lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. Together with community partners and our employees around the world, we’re designing innovative solutions to get more than 14 million kids playing, running and jumping their way to a brighter future. Find out more about Nike’s commitment to getting kids moving and providing opportunities for equal playing fields for all at communityimpact.nike.com.
