L.A. County is providing more access to recreational activities. (photo courtesy of L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced a part­nership on Aug. 2 between the county Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles County Parks Foundation to pro­vide vulnerable youth and families with access to high-quality pro­gramming.

Known as Power of Play, the joint initiative will eliminate cost barriers to recreation programs, ensuring inclusion for everyone regardless of socio-economic status. Emphasizing equitable play and learning pro­grams for youth, the Power of Play initiative provides access to sports, ESTEAM (engineering, science, technology, environment, art and mathematics) summer camps and after-school programs.

Los Angeles County Parks Foundation, an independent non­profit, will provide financial sup­port for parks programs, allowing the department to expand its mis­sion through unique public- private partnerships. The foundation will receive grants, donations and con­tributions on behalf of the depart­ment and apply funds to programs and projects that transform lives and communities.

“The Power of Play initiative is centered around ensuring equity, access and affordability for youth from communities of color,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, 1st District. “All youth deserve the chance to play and have access to out-of-school-time opportunities, and this collab­oration will also help accomplish the county’s mission to measurably improve the quality of life for all Angelenos.”

“Too many children growing up in Los Angeles County, but specifi­cally youth of color, are going through childhood with dispropor­tionate access to play, sports and out of school programming,” added Norma E. García-González, direc­tor of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. “The LACPF will serve as the fundraising arm to bridge the gap in affordability and access by providing scholarships directly to vulnerable youth to participate in sports and after-school [and] sum­mer camp programming.”

For information, visit lacpf.org and parks.lacounty.gov.