Athletes for Hope’s Work in the Baton Rouge Community

Athletes for Hope, a partner of the Pennington Family Foundation, has been actively working to better the Baton Rouge community through projects such as AFH Baton Rouge MLK Day of Service 2025, the Planting Seeds of Hope event, and the CHAMPS Program. Below are some updates regarding these January and February programs!

“AFH Baton Rouge MLK Day of Service 2025 facilitated 11 service sites across the city from Friday, January 17th to Monday, January 20th. LSU and Southern University teams united to strengthen and uplift the Baton Rouge community through meaningful action and collaboration. Their efforts made a tangible difference in the community from hospital visits, cat hygiene maintenance to neighborhood cleanups, home revitalizations, and youth empowerment initiatives.”

“In February, LSU and Southern University soccer teams participated in the Planting Seeds of Hope event, hosted by Rain Will Bring Flowers. This powerful mental health initiative brought together over 500 community members, including youth athletes, to encourage open conversations and reduce stigma around mental health. Our student-athletes played an active role by assisting with event setup, distributing meals, and engaging with local mental health providers and an inspiring panel discussion led by Ryan Clark. Their reflections on the experience reinforced just how valuable these opportunities are for fostering awareness and support around mental well-being.”

“Additionally, our student-athletes have remained deeply engaged through the CHAMPS Program, visiting FLAIM Elementary and LA Key Academy to mentor and inspire young students. In February, they focused on Courage, using sports as a platform to help students develop character, build resilience, and stay active. LSU Gymnastics and Southern Soccer also visited OLOL Children’s Hospital, brightening the day of young patients by visiting rooms to spend time with families and leading games in the activity room.”