The budgets of the more than 10,000 municipal park and recreation departments with sports programs have been decimated due to COVID-19, as have those of YMCAs and other community providers. On July 15, Project Play releases Active Communities Do Better infographics that youth sports advocates everywhere can use to lobby mayors and governors to limit cuts – and recruit support from policymakers and corporations to help them through this challenging time. We ask: how can leaders best stabilize essential providers over the next 12-18 months? Also, what can be done to support low-income families and the children of the unemployed?
WATCH
PANELISTS
KEVIN WASHINGTON
President & CEO
YMCA of the USA
RENATA SIMRIL
President & CEO
LA84 Foundation
KATHLEEN TULLIE
Director of Social Responsibility
Reebok International
DAVE DUPONT
Co-Founder & CEO
TeamSnap
TOM FARREY
Executive Director
Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program
RECAP
The fragmented youth sports industry must seek partnerships – even with competitors – and collectively communicate with one voice about the value of physical activity, according to several nonprofit and corporate leaders.
ADDITIONAL READING
Read Tom Farrey’s vision of what the recovery could achieve
Renata Simril writes about the need to increase access to youth sports
Project Play’s webinar on the potential to rebuild the grassroots sports system
