Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s Post

Not everyone has the gift of community or belonging. In fact, from a young age, many are never really exposed to it And it can be easy to feel isolated without it. Whether it’s in a family, friendship group, or wider circle, we all crave a place to fit in. That’s why my kids are involved in sports. Because sports have a unique power to create this sense of belonging. Whether playing on a team or cheering from the stands. You instantly become part of a community united by a shared passion and common goal. - You cheer as one. - You bond and discuss tactics at half-time. - You celebrate victories and share in defeats together. Sports break down barriers, bringing together people who might otherwise never meet. 🙌🏾 It’s why my kids are involved in sports now. And why I coach a kids cricket team. To provide that community experience from a young age. To make it normal early on. Because it’s that community that creates the stars and leaders of tomorrow.

It was really cool to learn about National Basketball Association (NBA) Star Russell Westbrook’s involvement in a new development in the City of Los Angeles that will create 176+ new affordable homes! https://lnkd.in/ev6y8UXi Sometimes it feels like our industry operates on an island, constantly on the hunt to amalgamate funding sources and thread the narrowest of needles to bring a project to fruition. Yet the majority of people outside our circles, while familiar with the problem from a distance, do not fully understand the size and scope of the crisis, nor the intricate challenges we all face. In order to expand the pools of financing, from federal to local, widespread awareness and civic education is an essential element to foster more conversation and influence legislation. And there is no denying the power of celebrities in our culture, and the impact they can have on both public consciousness and political discourse. So a HUGE hat tip to Russell Westbrook and the stakeholder team he is working with - from BRIDGE Housing Corporation, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Cécile Chalifour, En Jung Kim, Primestor Development, The Seed School of Los Angeles County - Jubria Lewis, Ed.D., Target, South LA Cafe and many more... Wishing nothing but success for Evermont, and I look forward to other projects they embark on in the future. Here’s hoping that more impassioned athletes and public figures will get proactive in solving the dire need for housing in our cities. *p.s - also important to recognize Karen Bass for her affordable housing executive order back in 2022. all of these decisions help our cause tremendously. #losangelesrealestate #dreamsinmotion #seniorhousing #celebrities

Mayor Cherelle Parker details $50M community benefits agreement for new Sixers arena - Philadelphia Business Journal In a public presentation of her agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers for a new Center City arena, Mayor Cherelle Parker outlined plans for the Sixers’ $50 million community benefits agreement and what she called the “best sports facility agreement in Philadelphia’s history.” The $50 million community benefits agreement calls for 70% of the funding to be spent in the first 10 years, rather than meted out equally over 30 years. Some $25 million is being earmarked for impacted communities near the arena and 97% of those funds would be distributed in the first 10 years. The remaining $25 million would be distributed to citywide initiatives. The arena still requires approval from Parker, who supports the project, and City Council. As part of the deal, the Sixers would also make an annual $6 million payment in lieu of taxes and use and occupancy payments for 30 years, funds set to benefit the city and the School District of Philadelphia. Parker noted that the arena is expected to generate $700 million in new tax revenue over the course of the 30-year agreement, expected to run from 2031 to 2061, making it the highest ever for a local sports facility. “In my view as your mayor, this is the best agreement, the best deal for our city right now,” Parker said Wednesday at the Philadelphia Convention Center. “I am proud to be here to affirm it.” Click the link below to read the entire story. https://lnkd.in/enbzhhQN 76 Place is being developed by 76 DevCo, a partnership between 76ers Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer and Philadelphia business leader David Adelman. 76 DevCo is collaborating with Mosaic Development Partners JV, a Philadelphia-based real estate development company certified MBE (Minority Business Enterprise).

Well done

Exploring the Impact of Pay-to-Play Models in the USA ⚽ ❌ Soccer transcends mere sport; it embodies empowerment, unity, and community. When confronted with the challenges confronting Sheriffs FC, a local Bay Area club, I felt compelled to act. Sheriffs FC, a beacon for aspiring young talents in the Bay Area, found themselves grappling with the loss of funding and sponsorships. As a Free-to-Play club, their mission was clear: providing top-tier coaching to youngsters from economically challenged backgrounds who couldn't afford the conventional pay-to-play model. At DivineTime Agency, despite our modest size, we're driven by a commitment to enriching communities. In a bid to support Sheriffs FC we're extending five tickets to our fantasy experience, aiming to empower the young girls of Sheriffs FC and contribute positively to their journey. What is your opinion on the pay to play model in the USA? Let's talk ⤵ Glenn Van Straatum David Ricca

I love Baltimore. It’s where my mom was partially raised. It’s where my grandparents lived for 50 years. I grew up going to Orioles games at Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards, visiting Fort McHenry and the aquarium, and eating at what was then a thriving Inner Harbor pavillion. In other words, I experienced the tourism activities. I’m privileged and only knew one part of Baltimore — a common occurrence for anyone who lived in the suburbs of Washington D.C. Like many downtown cities, Baltimore has challenges — declining population that brings lower tax revenue, funding for schools and city services, and gun violence and senseless deaths (although Baltimore’s 2023 homicide rate was its lowest in nearly a decade). Our society’s divide between the haves and have-nots occurs in so many areas of life, including which children can access sports — seemingly one thing that should be easy for all kids to experience. And yet this problem is true in Baltimore. In recent years, Baltimore has made progress to improve sports access for youth. I wrote about some developments here for Aspen Institute Sports & Society. The mayor, rec & parks department, schools, businesses, philanthropy, nonprofits and many others all have played a role to better serve Baltimore kids. There are still challenges in Baltimore, especially funding, facilities and transportation. As we see in many communities, youth sports providers in Baltimore often operate individually and without coordinated efforts to grow access. And yet Baltimore is trying and accomplishing important progress. As we bring the Project Play Summit to Baltimore in three days, that’s worth celebrating. If you’re coming to the Summit, enjoy the networking, food, panel discussions and O’s game. I hope you’ll also take the time to appreciate all of Baltimore and its efforts to improve. It’s a wonderful, complicated city that I’ve enjoyed my whole life, even as I’m still learning about all of its dimensions.

Inclusive youth sports organizations not only provide a sense of belonging for young people, but also serve as valuable platforms for community integration and development. Giving youth an opportunity to participate in sport helps prevent them from engaging in other risky behaviours, including gang involvement and substance abuse. As the founder of Motion Ball Sports, Chris Campbell shares his personal journey and the vital role of diverse volunteers in engaging racialized and immigrant communities. Through mentorship and sports programs, MBS empowers youth to excel both on and off the court, fostering academic development and personal growth. Similarly, Hockey 4 Youth Foundation/Fondation hockey pour les jeunes (H4Y) is breaking barriers and promoting inclusivity by providing newcomers with the chance to play hockey. With support from volunteers, including university students and teachers, H4Y creates a safe and welcoming environment where young athletes can flourish. Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this important article. #community #youth #empowerment #inclusion #diversity #sports #mentorship #leadership #opportunity #volunteerism #education #development #integration #success #growth #inspiration #transformation #teamwork #progress #gratitude

Buckhurst Field in the Park North and Walcot area is managed by South Swindon Parish Council SSPC and is set to receive an investment of £600,000 👏 for a new play area, skate park, sports facilities, cycle path and landscaping Swindon Advertiser As Chairperson of FA IAG Swindon & Wiltshire ⚽️ And a STFC Board Member for Inclusion it is good to work with everyone from all backgrounds to gain a requirements feedback for the development of a community asset. Please continue to give your feedback on the following questions, some of you may see your already submitted comments in the pictures. 👇 [email protected] or SSPC South Swindon Parish Council 📣 1. What’s required to make the sports facilities in the Buckhurst Field area feel safe and inclusive from groups who typically have low physical activity and sport participation rates- women/girls, ethnic minorities, deprive communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. 2.What specifications does a Playzone need to include to meet the requirements of local clubs and organisations to book this facility regularly? 3.What is required to ensure sports facilities in the Buckhurst Field area will be as accessible as possible to under-represented communities? 4.What sports facilities would you like to have in the Playzone alongside football?

At Leadership Howard County, in our quest to nurture effective community leadership, we recognize the significance of trust at scale. As highlighted in this thought-provoking article, metrics alone cannot cultivate trust. Instead, fostering a deeper understanding of community dynamics and complex systems through active participation at the local level is key. We aim to empower participants to engage meaningfully with their communities, fostering a sense of efficacy and trust that transcends numbers. A lot to chew on in this article: "There's something about local community engagement that really matters for the health of a democracy, and something is really getting lost there. This leads me to the question that I'm trying to figure out now: “When we institutionalize all these abstract and quantified forms of knowing and engaging in civil society, does that cause our civic or democratic muscles to atrophy?” The follow up question is: “How? And how do we get back from that?”" Can we reshape the landscape of leadership by prioritizing local involvement and empowering individuals to influence their communities positively? I surely hope so: "Prioritizing more hands-on, engaged forms of participation and accountability are essential for a vibrant civic life" #LeadershipDevelopment #TrustBuilding #CommunityEngagement #LocalInvolvement #LeadershipHowardCounty https://lnkd.in/e2rhixum

Sporting and recreational bodies, it's time to be grant ready With the NSW and Qld Governments just handing down their budgets for the next year, it's time to ensure that you're grant ready. The Qld Government has committed to: - An additional $9.5m for R3 of the Minor Infrastructure grant program - The Active Clubs program receiving $1.9 million - The ActiveKIT program receiving $1.3 million, and - The Emerging Athletes Pathways Program receiving $2.3 million. In NSW, the likely grant programs to open between July and December are: - Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program - grants up to $1m for projects on Crown Land - Community Building Partnerships - grants up to $150k - Level the Playing Field - grants up to $2m - Cat 3 Infrastructure - grants up to $300k, and - Local Sport Grant Program - grants up to $15k. These programs are in addition to the Federal Government's: - Growing Regions - grants up to $15m - Stronger Communities Programs - grants up to $20k. To be grant ready, at a minimum, this will require the following to be in place: - An approved Development Application or written exemption - Plans - Quotes - Evidence of community consultation - Broad community support via letters of support - Participation forecasts   Projects that are female centric, and/or focused on sustainability, community engagement and multi-sport are likely to have the best chance of success. Should you have a project and require assistance to be grant/shovel ready, please contact me at [email protected] or message via LinkedIn for assistance asap. Leaving preparation until mid-July may be too late.