Mercedes-Benz is backing the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA), a charity supporting projects to empower kids through sports. The company and its dealers are doing a Los Angeles initiative with Laureus that will train and place 40 Coach Across America coaches in 10 sports-based youth development projects that will mentor approximately 5,000 city children throughout the city of Los Angeles, per a release.
Mercedes is kicking in $1.3 million to give Laureus USA a hand with the U.S. program that will train and place 250 coaches through Coach Across America in sports-based youth development projects.
The effort focuses on underserved neighborhoods in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and New Orleans.
The effort kicks off Monday with an event at LA's Lafayette Park and its
Community Center. Dealers, employees from MBUSA, and Laureus World Sports Academy members will be on hand. The Laureaus members
include Dr. Edwin Moses, a two-time Olympic champion and chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, Nadia Comaneci, a five-time Olympic champion, and Tony Hawk,
considered one of the most successful and influential pioneers of modern-day skateboarding
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Los Angeles' after-school programs are facing big cuts. On June 28, the LAUSD approved a $6.3 billion budget for 2012-13 and spared the after-school programs at the eleventh hour.