The Athletic Club Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit organization that supports youth by investing in amateur athletic programs in central Indiana, is pleased to announce it has awarded its 2022 annual grants to six local organizations to help fund youth sports programs.
The Foundation has allocated grant funding to the following organizations: IMPD Youth Mountain Bike Project (IMPDYMP), Wolkoff Foundation, Mother Theodore Catholic Academies (MTCA), Providence Cristo Rey High School, Indiana Public Safety Foundation, and Lift Up Tumbling and Nutrition (LUTAN).
Mother Theodore Catholic Academies (MTCA) - ($9,000)
Monies to cover the majority of the following costs:
- $2,500: to replace much needed uniforms at three schools
- $2,000: wall padding at St. Philip Neri
- $1,000: replenish basketballs and volleyballs at two schools
- $1,500: new scoreboard at Central Catholic school
- $4,000: replace broken bleachers at Central Catholic school
- $1,500: electric winch winder for basketball backboards at Holy Angels
The MTCA includes Holy Cross Central School and the NDAA-Indy schools. These schools provide a Catholic education of the highest quality to as many children as possible in our city’s under-served communities. Their vision is to serve these families in our Catholic Identity, striving for academic excellent, and to be financially sustainable in our PreK-8 schools. Our great desire is to do whatever it takes to educate children to live lives that make God known, loved, and served.
https://ocs.archindy.org/mtca-ndaa-schools
Providence Cristo Rey High School – ($9,000)
Monies to cover a portion of the costs for improving the weight room at PCRHS. Currently, the weight room is out of date, and consists of very old, dilapidated equipment. The weight room improvements should significantly increase the participation level for student-athletes at PCRHS.
PCRHS is a Catholic, coeducational, college and career preparatory high school offering a holistic educational experience to students with economic need. Doors are open for students who otherwise may not have access to life-changing opportunities. A challenging curriculum is integrated with the proven Corporate Work Study Program® to motivate and empower students with the tools they need to succeed in high school, college, career, and life.
Indiana Public Safety Foundation – ($4,000)
Monies to fund a portion of the costs of much-needed field improvements to the Indy PAL football and baseball fields. These fields serve approximately 600 underprivileged youths.
The mission of the Indy Public Safety Foundation (IPSF) is to enhance the quality of life and public safety in
Indianapolis. Indy Police Athletic League (PAL) is one of several youth-serving programs powered by the Indy Public Safety Foundation, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Explorers,
Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) Explorers and IMPD Cadets. Indy PAL’s mission is to involve the
at-risk or under-served youth of Marion County in educational, cultural and fitness activities that will
deter crime, increase self-esteem and promote a positive relationship with police.
Lift Up Tumbling and Nutrition (LUTAN) – ($3,000)
Monies to be used to purchase gymnastic equipment, IPADs and software for data collection for use by the 50+ participants in LUTAN.
LUTAN strives to promote exercise and balanced nutrition, for strong youth development. They are a one-stop shop that provides cheerleading, personal training, nutrition education, and coaching. They prioritize wellness across the lifespan to maximize total fitness and health. LUTAN, Inc was founded by two African American women in 2021 who grew up in Marion County just like the young people they serve; both are former cheerleaders that have competed in several NCA/UCA cheer competitions and have held national titles. After completing their cheerleading careers, they turned their passion into service. Coach Vanessa Gardner is a current USASF Professional member and is AACCA Safety certified and has been coaching for 22 years. Coach Vanessa Bartlett is a certified Holistic Health Coach.
IMPD Youth Mountain Bike Project (IMPDYMBP) – ($2,000)
Monies to cover expenses related the upkeep of the wooden features of the Mountain Bike Skills Park in Brightwood. Specific costs include lumber, tools and hardware. In previous years, the park has been maintained through other donations or out-of-pocket donations by IMPD officers. This donation should cover a large portion of the maintenance costs and ensure the safety of the kids for several years. The IMPDYMBP serves approximately 1600 youths annually.
IMPDYMBP was established in 2015 by two IMPD bike patrol officers. The goals of the organization are: 1. Introduce urban youth mountain biking, 2. Build technical bike skills, 3. Build self-confidence and communication skills, 4. Promote healthy living. 5. Promote respect for nature and utilization of Indy’s vast parks. Future goals for the organization include bringing the program into neighborhoods that are experiencing significant violent crime in order to build community relations and draw people together to build crime prevention efforts. The organization serves approximately 1600 youth annually, and has ongoing relationships with the Indy Parks Foundation and Indy Public Safety Foundation.
Wolkoff Foundation - ($2,000)
Monies to cover a portion of the expenses related to the construction of a grass football field at the Martin Luther King Center at Tarkington Park in Indianapolis. The entire construction cost is estimated to be $65,000. This field is used by the 38th Street Football League, which provides a football league for approximately 165 underprivileged children each year.
The mission of the Wolkoff Foundation is to continually strive to enhance local youth sports programs for underprivileged girls and boys. They endeavor to create more accessibility to these programs and at the same time create more opportunities for Indiana youth to experience the joy and value of athletic participation.
"We are honored to award the 2022 Athletic Club Foundation Grants to six very deserving organizations," said The Athletic Club Foundation President Robert V. Welch, Jr. “Athletics positively impact the lives of young Hoosiers and we are proud to support these programs in their efforts to make youth sports more accessible.”
Each year, The Athletic Club Foundation organizes events for the community including the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. The Athletic Club Foundation, in partnership with the Hoosier Lottery, will host the 24th Annual Hoosier Lottery Greening of the Canal on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Tent Party will take place on March 17, 2023, and the Shamrock Run & Walk is scheduled for March 18, 2023.
