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Westcoast Sports Associates (WSA) is committed to Making Youth Sports Possible. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to giving economically disadvantaged children in Southern California the opportunity to participate in sports. To achieve this goal, WSA has funded various community programs and activities. For many children, the opportunity to participate in sports would not be possible without our funding.
The group is comprised of a diverse cross-section of over 50 individuals drawn from both the business and sports communities who volunteer their time to help run the organization.
WSA operates through funds raised by charitable donations, personal contributions and hosting of the annual Roy Firestone Award dinner.
Accomplishments to Date
In its short existence, Westcoast Sports Associates has:
- Provided ongoing financing for the sports programs at the following Los Angeles City Parks: Jim Gilliam Recreation Center, Toberman Recreation Center, Oakwood Recreation Center, Central Park Recreation Center, William Nickerson Recreation Center, Elysian Valley Recreation Center, Garcia Recreation Center and Montecito Recreation Center.
- Provided significant financing to City of Santa Ana Parks programs including El Salvador Park, Thornton Park and the Jerome Center Boxing Club as well as Santa Ana High School and the Memorial Pool Center.
- Provided significant financial support for the athletic programs of Hollywood Recreation Center.
- Provided the principal financing for the sports programs of El Sereno Recreation Center in East Los Angeles.
- Successfully organized a Youth Basketball Clinic in South Los Angeles for children with UCLA and USC basketball coaches.
- Since 2000, allocated funds annually to send underprivileged children to attend summer basketball camps in Los Angeles and Orange County. WSA sent 175 children to a basketball camp in Santa Ana in 2008.
- Provided funding for the development of new AYSO regions in sixteen Southern California communities, creating all-inclusive soccer programs to over 3,500 children annually.
- Partnered with the Los Angeles Chapter of the Salvation Army and the Venice Boys and Girls Club to provide over 250 children with scholarships to attend the Pepperdine University Summer Sports Camps, basketball chalk talk dinners and basketball games from 2003 – 2008.
- Established the WSA Prime Time Cup with Team Prime Time, which has allowed over 400 high-risk Los Angeles children to participate in organized athletics and receive special academic assistance, as well as providing scholarships for 60 students to participate in the Team Prime Time after school program.
- Assisted in the formation of the Sandy Koufax program for the East LA Dodgers Youth Baseball Association.
- Provided operating funds to Students Run LA to help at-risk teenagers train for the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon.
- Provided operating funds to View Park Prep Charter School Leadership Camp in the summers of 2006 and 2007.
- Provided ongoing funding for the Hollenbeck Police Activities League (PAL) to help support an indoor soccer program for children who live in housing projects in the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights.
- Provided ongoing funding for LA Scores which runs an after-school soccer and literacy program for economically disadvantaged children in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Palms.
- Provided financial support to the Starz Foundation which allowed children from South Central Los Angeles to attend lacrosse camps throughout Southern California in the summers of 2007 and 2008.
- Been recognized by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, and on numerous occasions by the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Commission, for contributions to the sports environment in the greater Los Angeles community.
- Donated funds to other charitable organizations that focus on children and sports.
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