2021 All-Star Legacy initiative to support community-based programs and youth efforts in Greater Denver
DENVER, CO – Major League Baseball and the Colorado Rockies today announced the 2021 All-Star Legacy initiative, which includes community enrichment projects and financial donations that will impact thousands of families and children throughout Greater Denver and beyond. Approximately $5 million will be donated by MLB and the Rockies through this Midsummer Classic program, which is an annual effort designed to leave a lasting impact throughout the local community while also supporting national charitable organizations with close ties to Major League Baseball.
The 2021 All-Star Legacy effort features improvements to youth baseball/softball playing fields, a local Boys & Girls Club, and financial contributions to local organizations providing much-needed services to vulnerable groups within the greater Denver community. The various All-Star Legacy projects will be unveiled leading up to the 91st MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. Since 1997, MLB and host All-Star Clubs have donated approximately $95 million through the All-Star Legacy initiative.
2021 All-Star Legacy Projects
- Children’s Hospital Colorado – Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) is the region’s only nonprofit pediatric hospital and is fueled by giving, treating all children regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Resource Connect is a hub that connects patients and families with community-based services to meet non-medical health needs such as legal assistance for a range of issues, benefits enrollment into programs such as Medicaid, utility assistance and heating system repairs/replacement, and supplemental nutrition for women and young children through WIC. All-Star Legacy funding to Resource Connect will help Children’s Colorado support its staff members who work there and strengthen community partnerships, thereby removing access barriers and making it easier for families to utilize social services.
- Launched in October 2019, Resource Connect was utilized by 2,140 families seen in the new comprehensive services facility, Child Health Pavilion, that screen positive for, or verbalize, a resource need. Among the families referred, 77% successfully received the help they needed. The opening of RC could not have been more prescient, as COVID is having a disproportionate impact on the health and wellness of black and brown populations, many of whom are Aurora-based families that utilize Children’s Colorado and were already experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, unstable housing or homelessness prior to the onset of COVID. As a result, referrals to Resource Connect more than doubled. Further, midway through 2020 CHC noticed a trend: most families – not just several families – who were referred to Resource Connect were referred for two or more partner agencies which demonstrates an increased need across Resource Connects partners, not just certain partners.
- Denver Public Schools Foundation/RBI Program – A Grant will be given to the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation to grow the local Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. The intention of the grant is to grow baseball and softball RBI leagues in underserved communities, increase participation in the RBI Program by 25% over four years, and fund expenses associated with travel to RBI regional tournaments.
- John F. Kennedy High School Field Renovations – Legacy funds will help renovate the school’s baseball field, which was condemned, deemed unsafe and unplayable last year, as well as to provide major upgrades to the softball field. JFK High school is part of the Rockies RBI program and is one of the few traditional high schools left in Denver Public Schools with a proud history dating back to 1965. JFK High School is one of the largest Title I low-income high schools in the district, with over 73% of their students receiving free and reduced lunch. The school proudly serves over 92% minority students, and over 45% multilingual learners.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, J. Churchill Owen Branch – All-Star Legacy dollars will allow the Owen Teen Center to be outfitted with new flooring, paint, storage units and furniture. In addition, all devices in the Teen Tech Center will be converted to laptops, which will be more conducive to tech programming- allowing members to use the laptops in other areas of the Club. New storage will keep the space cleaner and more organized. The social area and gym will be updated with new furniture and games that will give a more inviting, fresh look to the Teen Center. Additionally, improvements and beautification will take place to the adjacent baseball field. This All-Star Legacy project is part of MLB’s support and celebration of the 25th year of partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- The J. Churchill Owen Boys & Girls Club is located in the Westwood neighborhood on the southwest side of Denver. Owen BGC has provided affordable after school and summer programs for underserved youth since 1967. The Colorado Rockies have been a sponsor and played an instrumental role in supporting these efforts over the years to ensure that Westwood kids have access to meaningful relationships and enriching opportunities. While a vibrant and diverse community, the majority of Westwood residents face economic inequities and coinciding challenges, such as high rates of food and housing insecurity, victimization, early mortality, low educational attainment, language barriers and a lack of access to child care and health care. By offering programs that support holistic childhood development in Westwood, Owen BGC is able to help children overcome barriers so that they can succeed in school and in life.
- Judi’s House – All-Star Legacy dollars will go toward the construction of a Children’s Room. This room will allow for Pathfinders and Connections groups to meet with their grief counselors. Youth groups bring together peers with similar loss experiences—from preschoolers to young adults. Judi’s House is a community-based nonprofit bereavement center for children and families with the vision that no child should be alone in grief. When former NFL quarterback Brian Griese was just 12 years old, his mother Judi died of breast cancer. Along Brian’s path to healing, he realized he wanted to give back to children and young adults who were also grieving the loss of an important person in their lives. In 2002, Brian and his wife, Dr. Brook Griese, a clinical psychologist specializing in childhood trauma and loss, founded Judi’s House in Denver. In order to achieve this vision, Judi’s House is committed to providing comprehensive grief care services for bereaved youth and families at Judi’s House as well as in school- and community-based settings throughout Metro Denver. These vital services are delivered at no cost to families thanks solely to philanthropic support. Since 2002, Judi’s House has served over 11,000 children and caregivers, at no cost to families.
- Military Community Grants –
- TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) – Founded out of tragedy in 1994, TAPS has grown and established itself as the front-line resource to families and loved ones of our military men and women. TAPS has provided comfort and care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week through comprehensive services and programs including peer based emotional support, case work assistance, crisis intervention, and grief and trauma resources. TAPS has assisted over 100,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers. Approximately 20 TAPS children will take part in a clinic and skills drills at PLAY BALL PARK.
- Challenge America (CA) – CA’s mission is to connect service members, veterans and their families to resources and solutions that build community and give purpose to their lives. Legacy dollars will go toward their Art Therapy program. Approximately 20 Challenge America children will take part in a clinic and skills drills at PLAY BALL PARK.
The full scope of All-Star Week community and youth programs and events, including non-All-Star Legacy projects and other initiatives, will be announced at a later date.
For general MLB All-Star Week information, please visit AllStarGame.com, the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard Twitter account (@AllStarGame) and All-Star Game presented by Mastercard Facebook account (Facebook.com/MLBAllStarGame).