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Los Angeles, CA
Project Roomkey Receives New FEMA Funding and CEO Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum Shares What This News Means Moving Forward
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Los Angeles Rams player gives back to families in South LA
12/24/20
South Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Rams’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee Andrew Whitworth and his family handed out gifts to families in need in South LA.
SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Andrew Whitworth is an LA Rams four-time pro bowler and a veteran leader who is sorely missed by his teammates as he works to get back on the field, after an injury earlier this season.
Whitworth is also known for the great things he does off the field. He’s the Rams’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and it’s because the big offensive lineman also has a big heart.
Whitworth and his family visited South L.A. families who are currently staying at Sola Open Air Transitional living. Sola is affiliated with St. Joseph Center.
“We just want to make sure we gave you a little extra blessing for Christmas,” Whitworth said. “And to let you know we’re thinking about you and that we want the best for you and that honestly, we love you.”
“The Whitworths are ensuring that the children here are at Sola Open Air: Safe Landing for Families will not go to bed hungry this season,” said the president and CEO of St. Joseph Center Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum. “We’re so grateful.”
The Whitworths purchased gifts for 92 children and are providing 53 families with their own $500 grocery store gift card along with individually packaged holiday meals.
The Open Air RV Transitional Living program provides safe housing for families who were living on the streets or in their vehicles. Rams’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee said he wants to make sure the families know they’re loved.
“I think the best you can hope for from a moment like this is that one family at least at a minimum is inspired to keep going,” said Whitworth.
“This is a celebration of love, of giving and it really did something to my heart because I didn’t expect all this from him and this program,” said Sola Open Air resident Danielle Murray.
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Los Angeles, CA
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Los Angeles, CA
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LOS ANGELES RAMS PLAYERS PARTICIPATE IN “GIVING TUESDAY” BY AWARDING $750,000 TO LOCAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NON-PROFITS
12/01/2020
Los Angeles, CA
In honor of “Giving Tuesday,” the Los Angeles Rams players are awarding $750,000 to 25 non-profits focused on social justice across the greater Los Angeles region.
Following numerous tragic events this past year, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Rams players came together to discuss how they could help address injustices that continue to plague society. Focused on long-term, systemic change, the players decided to pool resources together to financially support organizations who are doing this critical work.
The Rams invited 25 social justice non-profits to share with the players information about their work, those they serve and how the players could be of the greatest assistance. After listening and learning, the players rewarded each organization with a donation ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
MICHAEL BROCKERS, JOHNNY HEKKER, SEBASTIAN JOSEPH-DAY and ANDREW WHITWORTH helped lead the process, participating in virtual conversations with the organizations and determining how to allocate the funds.
“As a leader on this team, it was important to me to be part of these conversations,” said Brockers. “My teammates and I are very aware of the social injustices that continue to occur, and we made a decision to become actively involved in helping to be part of the change that is desperately needed. It was awesome to hear from so many different leaders and non-profits that are putting the work in to make real change and I’m honored to support them.”
“In my 15 years in the NFL, this has definitely been one of the most inspiring things that I have had the opportunity to be part of,” said Whitworth. “It was an amazing process that allowed us to learn about a variety of non-profits working across Los Angeles to positively impact lives and advance social justice. The chance to hear directly from them on how we could help left us both humbled and motivated. On behalf of my teammates, we thank them for their daily passion and commitment to drive equity and are proud to support their important work.”
Below are the 25 recipient non-profit organizations who are working to address education inequities, youth justice, community-police relations and anti-recidivism as well as providing access to mentors and basic human needs including housing and food.
St. Joseph Center – ($25K recipient) – St. Joseph Center is committed to addressing homelessness through a racial equity lens and providing working poor families, as well as homeless men, women, and children of all ages with the inner resources and tools to become productive, stable and self-supporting members of the community