Christy Uribe, a South Los Angeles native and alumnus of Augustus F. Hawkins High School, exemplifies the impact of the LAFC Foundation’s community programs. She currently serves part-time with LAFC Communications while pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at the University of San Francisco. Uribe also works as a Programs Associate at the LA Dodgers Foundation.
Uribe was among the inaugural participants of the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) at the Bresee Foundation beginning in 2012. She served as a YLP leader throughout her four years of high school, supported by mentor Danny Oliver. The program provided financial stipends, leadership opportunities, and professional skill development within a supportive community that aided her in managing challenges in South Los Angeles.
Through YLP, Uribe overcame shyness and developed initiative and community engagement skills. The partnership between LAFC and YLP broadened her exposure to the sports industry, offering an internship with LAFC Communications during game nights that deepened her understanding of the field and expanded her professional network.
The LAFC Foundation supports organizations like Bresee to grant under-resourced youth in Los Angeles access to soccer-related career pathways and experiences, including career panels at BMO Stadium. To date, the Foundation has positively impacted more than 30,000 underserved youths, contributing through events such as fundraising activities and unveiling futsal courts in collaboration with Chevron and Kaiser Permanente.
CSB Take
Christy Uribe’s journey from a Youth Leadership Program participant to a professional working within LAFC Communications illustrates the profound effect lasting mentorship and community programs can have on youth development. The LAFC Foundation’s dedication to creating accessible pathways in sports fosters leadership and opportunity in underprivileged communities. Such programs not only support individual growth but also help diversify and strengthen the sports industry by cultivating emerging talent from diverse backgrounds. Continuing to invest in these initiatives will benefit both local youth and the broader sports ecosystem.
Source: Original report
