“When we took over the Watts Bears and renamed them the Watts Rams, we always envisioned a program bigger than just youth football,” said Molly Higgins, Executive Vice President, Community Impact and Engagement. said. “Today is the continuation of the program’s evolution. Use your knowledge.”

The PYD program serves as an invaluable guide for Watts Rams’ coach, who is also an LAPD board member, and includes the best approaches and practices for the growth and development of Watts Rams athletes, not only as athletes, but as youth. I’m in. Throughout a series of workshops led by Youth-Nex, Watts Lam coaches from the University of Virginia Center for Promoting Effective Youth Development focus on principles of positive youth development, highlighting the strengths and challenges of Whatts Lam athletes. identify and use engagement and behavioral strategies. Promote positive development in adolescents and implement strength-based strategies to challenge experiences associated with systemic oppression.

“This is so much more than just football,” said Mark May, general manager of the Watts Rams. The comprehensive services that can be provided through this program are for the social and emotional well-being of children.Educate officers on what mentorship is and Whether it’s understanding where children are academically or where their struggles and trauma come from, we We want to provide those services, and then give them the resources and then have fun.”

The series will include five workshops throughout the 2022-23 season. After each workshop, participants are left with actionable ideas and approaches to apply in their interactions with youth both on and off the field. Additionally, attendees will have access to a ground-breaking simulation program to develop mentoring skills in a virtual environment.

LAPD said: “Youth programs are important to us because they provide opportunities to stay involved in the community and change the trajectory of young people’s lives.This is huge for me as a police officer. The ripple effect of change is powerful,” he said LAPD. Lieutenant James Michael Bland. “This would be difficult to achieve without a partner who provides the means to do so.It allows us to not only protect Los Angeles, but to engage with it. It helps us gain and build relationships in our community.”

General Manager of Rams, Les Snead, serves on the board of directors of the UVA School of Education and Human Development Foundation Board. This group is a dynamic group of professionals dedicated to acting as school fundraisers and ambassadors and promoting his EHD work within the network. Snead worked with Higgins, May, and the University of Virginia to create a program to enhance youth development training for LAPD.

“We are constantly talking about how Wattrum is supported across the organization and this is a concrete example of that,” Higgins said. and found an opportunity to provide growth opportunities for coaches to become the best role models and mentors possible for children, and the coaches have been very receptive and grateful for the resources.From Les and UVA support.”

“Football is about winning,” May said. “When young people can participate and win outside of soccer with officials, coaches and volunteers, winning when they are playing soccer is even more special.”

Entering the 2019 season, the Rams officially announced their support for the Watts Rams (formerly known as the Watts Bears) and the LAPD’s efforts to bridge community and police ties through football games. As part of the partnership, the Rams are funding all components of the Watts Rams programme, including uniforms and equipment. Each year, the Rams provide opportunities to interact with current players, alumni, coaches, scouts, soccer operations and front office staff to expand knowledge and ignite passion beyond the playing field.

For more information on Rams’ community outreach efforts, please visit www.therams.com/community.