Integrating at-risk youth with elite athletes from all walks of life immerses both athletes and youth in a culture dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. At-risk youth in our Training for Life program participate in sport performance, after-school tutoring and life counseling. A select few will qualify to compete in their hometown for spots on the US team in the LA28 Games.
Due in large part to our efforts and support, USA Cycling located their Track Cycling Sprinting Olympic Development Program (ODP) in Los Angeles. The 2020 ODP sprint and endurance athletes are pictured here in the venue where our programing lives. The ODP Sprint program is led by Aron Seiken, our non-profit Executive Director. Elite athletes who qualify for the ODP Sprint program can apply to gain access to Training for Life.
Mentoring | Educational Growth | Athletics
We are committed to improving educational achievement via tutoring, supporting solutions for life’s challenges by access to mentors and mental health professionals, and increasing long-term adoption of active lifestyles by participation in recreational sports. Every participant has equal access and accrues full benefit of these programs.
While not all participants will reach world-level performance, every participant will gain life and health benefits from structured program interaction with our team of mentors, tutors, counselors, coaches and trainers.
Our platform supports at-risk youth who want to take their athletic achievements to a higher level. Perhaps, a collegiate scholarship. Some many compete for the US Team in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Athletic success is not sufficient on its own.
At-risk youth in LA have many obstacles to overcome: limited social, family and financial support, exposure to crime, poor health habits and educational challenges.
Elite athletes in pursuit of national and world team performance face significant risks, because they put their lives on hold for a decade or longer. Often leading to poor decisions about how and when to pursue college or careers, which are a distant second to their athletic focus. Our program resources help overcome these challenges and allow social integration of these at-risk individuals.
That is why Training for Life is focused on more than athletics. At-Risk Youth and Elite Athletes fully engage educational and life counseling. The road to success in LA starts with Training for Life.
KABC7 Films at-risk youth
Our Board Member, Travis Smith, General Manager at the Velo Sports Center and former Canadian National Team Cyclist, was front and center, while listening to Giddeon Massie, a two-time US Olympian in track cycling at recent event.
Our Board Member, Cedric Washington, an LAPD Detective and track cycling enthusiast, in conjunction with LAPD’s Community Safety Partnership, brought dozens of at-risk youth to our training site for a one-day enrichment program. The youth learned first hand the values of Training for Life.
Elite athletes and at-risk youth targeted for enrichment programs.
All program enrollees have access to mentors, life counseling and academic development. The majority of participating youth will be enrolled in the recreational sports program and enjoy basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, dodge ball, pickleball and track cycling. Select at-risk youth, who show promise, will have access to elite sports development.
Many at-risk youth have high performance potential, but need access to elite programs and facilities. Our high performance program might be a pathway to success for some at-risk youth. Perhaps, through a college scholarship or an opportunity to compete for the US in the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
When you train for elite performance, you are Training for life. Success demands commitment, sacrifice, coping with failure and reliance on team mates.