LAUREUS USA, BREES DREAM FOUNDATION, ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL, AND NIKE CONTINUE COMMITMENT TO THE YOUTH OF NEW ORLEANS

Funds come at a crucial point as the New Orleans East community seeks to rebuild from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and Racial Injustice

NEW ORLEANS (April 19, 2021)—Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, along with partners the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Brees Dream Foundation, and Nike, announced their continued commitment to improving the health and well-being of New Orleans youth, an investment that has already impacted the lives of over 1,500 young people. The partnership is part of a five-year commitment of $500,000 to support sports-based youth development (SBYD) programs serving New Orleans East, a geographic location that has the densest population of youth with very little resources. These funds will be especially critical now as organizations safely return to play and work to help kids heal and grow after one of the toughest years this neighborhood has faced.

“The Brees Dream Foundation has a long-standing dedication to our community of New Orleans and ensuring kids have access to the sports they need to thrive,” says Drew Brees, Former New Orleans Saints Quarterback. “We know firsthand the power sport has to rebuild and bring joy to communities and we are honored to band together with Laureus to help heal our city.”

As part of the multi-year commitment, a new $150,000 grant will go towards sports programming at Joe W. Brown Memorial Park, a beloved community park that was restored after Hurricane Katrina thanks to the help of Nike, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Brees Dream Foundation. As part of the restoration, the city of New Orleans also added Victory Field, a new football stadium.

“Over the last eight years, we’ve been diligent in our resolve to provide quality programming for the benefit of all who use the facilities at Joe Brown Park,” says Jeff Hundley, Allstate Sugar Bowl CEO. “As an organization, we are pleased that our combined efforts in working with Nike and the Brees Dream Foundation have benefited the youth and citizens of the New Orleans East community for almost a decade now. Of specific interest to the Bowl in working on the Joe Brown Park project is that it provides the opportunity for young people to play football.”

Laureus USA has been investing in NOLA since 2014 and this year will provide six New Orleans organizations the resources they need to empower youth and help them overcome the many challenges they face while exposing them to sports ranging from flex football, basketball and soccer to ballet/dance, running, canoeing and kayaking.

“We recognize the geographical richness of Joe Brown Park and have witnessed the impact sport-based youth development programs are having in New Orleans East, explains Tiffany Aidoo, Laureus USA New Orleans Program Officer. “We are proud to be part of this partnership that is allowing this important work to continue impacting the lives of so many youth through the power of sport.”