The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and UCLA health have distributed 500 at-home exercise kits to youth. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation)

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and UCLA Health have teamed up to support youth and families as the pandemic continues to adversely impact the physical and mental health for Angelenos.

The foundation and UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind began distributing at-home fitness kits to 500 youth of KIPP Academy of Innovation in East Los Angeles, and have also launched a series of live virtual fitness clinics with UCLA Health Sports Performance for youth ages 5-18.

The efforts to address health inequities are part of a foundation-supported research study, led by Dr. Rebecca Dudovitz, that is focused on defining best practices for physical education via distance learning and the resources needed to support this in education.

“UCLA Health has remained an important partner in our COVID-19 relief efforts and an authority on what our communities need right now,” Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said. “While we wish that this was not the case in 2021, we know that our families need ongoing assistance to help them cope while staying safe at home. Physical fitness and mental wellness go hand-in-hand and we are making the necessary investments and partnerships to make these resources available.”

Sound Body Sound Mind initially received a $25,000 grant from the foundation to support physical education and fitness gyms in schools, but the program pivoted to provide the at-home kits to support students through distance learning. The kits include a reusable bag, water bottle, frisbee, jump rope, Wiffle ball, cones, a yoga mat, a rubber playground ball, a resistance band, a mask and hand sanitizer.

“Staying healthy this last year has been incredibly challenging for our students but our KIPPfit team has remained committed to developing innovative strategies to keep our kids mentally and physically healthy,” KIPP Academy school leader Melissa Ulloa said. “We are so grateful to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and to UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind for their generous donation. The Fit Kits will allow our students access to even more creative workouts and give them the outlet they need to remain optimistic in the face of on-going challenges.”

Los Angeles youth and Dodgers RBI participants ages 5-18 will learn fun and interactive exercises that will encourage them to develop a healthy lifestyle through a series of 10 live virtual fitness workouts that kicked off this week. UCLA Health Sports Performance powered by EXOS is a collaboration between two of the top organizations in the medical and sports performance fields and are experts in providing high-quality training, nutrition and wellness support to athletes of all ages and abilities. Youth will be led through a 45-minute clinic including warmup and circuit workout as they are encouraged to stay home stay healthy, and stay active.

For information, visit dodgers.com/ladf.