The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation unveiled a rebranding of their sports-based youth development program, Dodgers RBI, which now is known as Dodgers Dreamteam. The announcement was made at Dodger Stadium, complete with a new logo, and Magic Johnson and Adrian Gonzalez in attendance.
“Together over the last two years we’ve endured so much, yet we’ve stood by our sides and the side of the community to show up for those who needed us most,” Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said.
“As we gather to celebrate the rebrand of one of our most impactful programs, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude as I think about the allies who have made this day possible. I want to thank our partners, our sponsors, our board members, our advisory committee, Dodgers ownership and leadership, and the amazing Dodgers Foundation team. Each day I wake up motivated, knowing that the work we do will have generational impact.
“The kids and families we serve deserve our dedication. They deserve our advocacy, they deserve for us to fight for them day in and out. As we slowly create a new reality after such a brutal two years, LADF will not waiver in our mission to uplift Angelenos. Especially during the most challenging times. Our work is proof through collaboration and partnership that magic happens.
“Our work is an endless love letter to Los Angeles. We are more than just a city, the Dodgers are more than just a team, and the Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball. We are tackling the most pressing problems facing our city, with a mission to improve education, healthcare, homelessness and social justice for all of us.”
Dodgers RBI was launched in 2014 with a focus on providing an inclusive sports program that addressed basic needs in underserved communities.
The rebrand and program redesign signals a new chapter, with a goal to reach 25,000 youth annually by 2030. The LADF additionally remains committed to constructing 75 Dodgers Dreamfields by 2023.
“What we want to do is help young people and have their dreams come to fruition,” Johnson said. “Whatever role that the Dodgers Dreamteam can provide or do, that’s what we’re going to do. The Dodgers are not about your neighborhood, your zip code, or color of your skin. We just want to impact peoples lives and we will continue to do just that.
“I played on one and we went undefeated, and this Dreamteam is going to go undefeated in the community and make a big impact.”
Gonzalez proud to collaborate with Dodgers
Since retiring, Gonzalez has maintained ties to the organization, which stems from a positive experience while playing for the Dodgers.
“I know personally, playing here in L.A. for six years, being on the field, having the fans cheer us on was amazing and it was some of my favorite parts of my career. But more than anything, like Magic said, being in the community is the part that really fulfills your heart and makes you have that sense of worth,” Gonzalez said. “For me, that was the part I enjoyed the most.
“In 2017, my family supported a Dreamfields project at Darby Park in the city of Inglewood, where we helped the community play that season for free. Sports should never be a decision based on finances. It should always be just because you want to play the sport. I know one of the things the L.A. Dodgers Foundation has always done is tried to continue to provide these services for kids to be able to play in their community for free.
“I’m so blessed to be able to be a part of this, be a part of the L.A. Dodgers Foundation and be part of the family. Like Magic said, since the day the ownership group took over, all the things they’ve been doing has made a great impact in the community and city of L.A. I’m blessed to still be a part of it.”
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