Organization Summary
Reimagined in 2013, LADF has since raised over $204 million, including a $100 million pledge in 2024 by its Chairman Mark Walter and Dodgers Ownership, marking the largest contribution ever from an MLB ownership group to the organization’s charitable partner. Under its new strategic plan, “Lasting Impact for Los Angeles,” LADF is amplifying best practices, scaling solutions, growing its capacity, and refining its work with investments exceeding $60 million in its programs and grants to local organizations. To date, LADF has positively impacted over 10 million area youth. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport's Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion.
Up2Us Sports is the first national service program to challenge young people and adults to give back to their communities by committing to coaching and mentoring underserved youth. These coach mentors are improving communities by using the power of sports to inspire kids to stay in school, stay out of trouble, and stay healthy. Up2Us Sports is building a workforce of highly trained coaches equipped with the skills necessary to face the challenges and opportunities of working with underserved youth in Los Angeles and around the country. (For more information, see www.up2ussports.org).
Position
Up2Us Sports, in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), announces an opportunity to give back to communities in Los Angeles as coach mentors for youth in the Dodgers Dreamteam program (an affiliate of Nike RBI). Dodgers Dreamteam is a comprehensive sports-based youth development (SBYD) program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities that are experiencing social injustices. Rooted in baseball and softball, LADF aims to significantly increase youth’s social and emotional skills, which promote positive mental health and buffer against mental health risks, while also providing opportunities for them to build relationships with peers and positive role models. LADF works with partners to deliver wraparound services, connecting youth to critical health care and education resources and services. Understanding that low-income communities lack basic essentials, LADF provides necessities to fill gaps and promote healthier life outcomes.
In this role, Field Champions will work directly with Dodgers Dreamteam Affiliate Partners (i.e. local City Municipal Agencies and Non-Profit Organizations) and play a major role in the implementation of the program on the ground level. This role will report directly to the Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator for all program responsibilities and Up2Us Sports for onboarding and training responsibilities. They will serve as AmeriCorps members and will be placed, trained, and supported to provide sports-based youth development coaching techniques. In addition, this position will include coaching baseball and/or softball at various Dodgers Dreamteam sites.
Required Responsibilities:
- Available from March 1, 2025 - August 30, 2025
- (Term of Service) and complete 450 hours to be eligible for an Education Award.
- Serve as an Up2Us Sports Ambassador and positive role model for the Dodgers Dreamteam program, which includes utilizing the SBYD training strategies and techniques received when working with the community.
- Responsible for coaching duties of 3-4 Dodgers Dreamteam teams, ages 5-18. The Dodgers Dreamteam program will run from March-August. Coaches must coach multiple teams in spring and summer programming and bring on at least one volunteer during your service term, including but not limited to assistant coach, team parent, event volunteer, new volunteer coach, etc.
- Complete pre and post/check-in surveys and roster collection information for all teams
- Promote Dodgers Dreamteam events to teams, players, and parents (Ex. Dodger Days, PlayerFest, Clinics, and more).
- Required to attend LADF and Field Champion-specific events (ex. Kickoffs/Orientation, mid-year check-ins, end-of-year celebrations)
- March 8th - Field Champion Kick Off Event
- March 22 + 23 - Field Champion Coach Training Weekend
- Highly encouraged to attend LADF-specific events (ex. LADF Trainings, Clinics, Playerfest, and Dodger Days).
- Attend all assigned team meetings, games, and practices.
- Required to attend a minimum of 4 LADF Dodgers Dreamteam Coaches Trainings.
- Attend Up2Us Orientation, Up2US Coach Training, and Service Days
- Maintain consistent communication with the Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator and Up2Us Sports staff.
- Submit all timesheets by the due date.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Support the Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator to ensure all coaches and youth are registered on LeagueApps.
- Support the Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator to ensure youth participants complete pre- and post-surveys in Hello Insight platform (or paper hardcopy).
- Assist the Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator with league logistics, coach/parent meetings, field prep, inventory, and more.
- Promote player and coach registration to local community organizations, schools, and more.
- Collect participant stories to effectively engage with youth, parents, and community partners, and share impactful narratives about the program’s goals, outcomes, and the personal development of participants with Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator.
- Create and conduct baseball/softball clinic lessons based on specific skills and abilities.
- Provide game day support such as umpiring or pitching as needed.
- Prepare and breakdown fields.
- Work alongside other pre-planned softball and baseball programs in the local area.
Candidate Qualifications and Requirements
- Members must consent to a background check performed by Up2Us Sports and Dodgers Dreamteam Affiliate Partners.
- The term of service is always contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check. The results of the state and FBI criminal history background checks and national sexual offender checks through the National Sex Offender Public Registry Website (NSOPW) are considered.
- Members must commit to the entire term of service from March 2025 - August 2025 (16 hours per week).
- Members must have access to consistently reliable transportation (e.g. personal vehicle or public transportation).
- Ability to interact with diverse populations and age groups.
- Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and skills in exercising sound judgment.
- Prior baseball and/or softball playing or coaching experience preferred.
- Able to encounter challenges with a solution mindset and remain optimistic despite setbacks with the program.
- Ability to manage a dynamic “work” schedule with other jobs, personal responsibilities, school, etc.
Compensation/Benefits (dependent on 80% of completed hours per pay period)
- AmeriCorps Living Allowance 450 hours = $5,700.00
- End-of-Service Education Award 450 hours = $1,956.25 (paid after successful completion of 450-hour term).
- 30+ hours of research-based training and SBYD professional development. Sports-Based Youth Development Training
- Uniform/Gear: 2 shirts and a jacket.
Typical Physical & Mental Demands
- This position requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to enable the member to effectively organize and supervise youth activities.
- Up2Us Sports provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and members as required by law.
- Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.