Together with its community partners, the philanthropic projects and programs of the LAJCC Charity Foundation affect more than 10,000 lives each year.  The Northern Trust Open continues a tradition of giving back, strengthening individuals, families and their communities through innovative and responsive philanthropic programs.

Click here to learn more about the LAJCC.

For a list of community partners, click here.

 Growing out of the Watts Riots, the inaugural L.A. Watts Summer Games were held in 1968 in the belief that through the spirit of high school athletic competition, better understanding and communications could be developed that would foster improved relations between young people of various ethnic, economic and geographic backgrounds throughout the city of Los Angeles. 

Since it's inception the L. A. Watts Summer  Games have positively affected over 185,000 high school student athletes by emphasizing sportsmanship, positive achievement and interaction though it's credo, which is recited prior to each game and put into practice throughout the eleven (11) sport competitions.  The value of fair play on the athletic field is promoted in an environment of goodwill which translates into valuable life lessons practiced in the every day lives of our City's youth.
Continuing relationships between inner city and suburban high school athletes, coaches and administrators can be directly attributed to the interactions that transpire during this two week-end city wide event.  In 2011, as part of the restructuring of The Games, new educational and motivational components are being introduced to benefit the athletes and their families.  College Campus Tours, Financial Aid Information, Mentoring Programs and College Scholarships will ensure the continuing relevance of The Games to one of our most precious community assets - the youth of Los Angeles.     

The First Tee of Los Angeles teaches golf to underserved youth between the ages of 7 and 17 who would not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to the game. The Program instills the Nine Core Values™ of  The First Tee: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

One of The First Tee of Los Angeles' driving goals is to maintain a membership that mirrors Los Angeles' demographic diversity. Since its inception in 1989, more than 8,500 children have participated in the program and more than 1,000 are expected to enroll in 2012 using one of its 10 L.A. area locations, including its home course, Whittier Narrows Golf Course.

In addition to general instruction, participants learn rules, etiquette and pace of play through the Introduction to Competition Series.  They can establish a USGA approved handicap through their GHIN club and access a number of additional discounted courses throughout Southern California. Members are also invited to take part in additional opportunities for educational scholarships, golf industry field trips, nutrition and fitness workshops, volunteer projects, as well as opportunities through The First Tee Network such as The First Tee Open, The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy, the Future Leaders Forum and Scholars Program. Adults are invited to participate in junior/adult team events: the Turkey Shoot in November and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial tournament in January and other Family Golf Events.

www.thefirstteela.org

Founded by Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program (RVLDP) educates and trains young professionals for life-long service in the governance and leadership of nonprofit organizations. This program is a unique in the Los Angeles community and fills a critical gap in providing future leadership to nonprofit organizations.

 RVLDP participants contribute eight (8) to ten (10) hours per month to the program, including attending a 3-hour seminar with presentations by experts and consultants in the field of nonprofit governance.  Each participant is also matched with a nonprofit organization where they gain experience and skills in board governance by participating on a committee or the board itself.  Upon completion of the program, RVLDP participants are expected to serve on boards or working committees of nonprofit organizations. The majority of the agencies served are small community based organizations who need educated and skilled professionals to help with the oversight and management of the agency.

There is a critical need for trained and skilled young professionals to take the leadership reins in the nonprofit world.  They are the future of our philanthropic community and the RVLDP is dedicated to assuring that the nonprofit community is effectively sustained by educating these young people to be our future leaders.  Since 1990, the RLVDP has graduated more than 40 classes and trained more than 1200 young professionals to serve effectively on nonprofit Boards.  Hundreds of non-profit agencies have benefited from the services of RVLDP

RVLDP also provides training to support the development of board leaders through its Board Leaders Institute (BLI).  The core mission of BLI is to support and train current and future leaders of nonprofit boards.  Participants attend seminars on board governance and are matched up with a board coach from the Executive Service Corps of Southern California (ESC).  Again, this unique program in Los Angeles ensures being able to effectively sustain nonprofit agencies in the future.

Click here to learn more about RVLDP.

The Ready to Learn Program is a monthly reading program designed to help first graders at 49th Street Elementary School improve their reading, develop a love of reading, improve English language skills and encourage school attendance.  Volunteer LAJCC members give 4 hours monthly to read to the children, spend quality time with them, and serve as role models.

The students at 49th Street are predominately from Spanish speaking homes (60% are considered non-English learners) and are in need of improving their English speaking and reading skills.

Forty-ninth Street Elementary is a Title 1 school where 100% of the students qualify for free breakfast and lunch because their family income falls below the national poverty level.

The area of South Los Angeles in which the school is located has population of which 58% are not high school graduates, according to the most recent census data. LAUSD has a 33% high school drop out rate compared with 19% in all Los Angeles County high schools combined. Instilling a value for education, a love of learning and the basic skills to succeed in school is vital to the future success of the children at 49th Street Elementary and for all schools.

In addition to reading with an adult LAJCC member, the students do an art project related to the reading, bringing in an element of fun.  Each child receives a special "gift" and book to take home with them.  In the 2010 school year, 93% of the students had perfect attendance at Ready to Learn. They enjoy and clearly benefit from the program.  Their reading skills and enthusiasm for reading are enhanced according to their teachers and Principal.

For the school year 2009 (the year before RTL was implemented at the school,) the state of California reported that only 20% of second graders at 49th Street tested as proficient in English/Language Arts with 49% testing below or far below proficient. With class sizes increasing due to the financial straits schools are in, the need for interaction that helps these children develop English language skills, outside of the classroom, is vital. Ready to Learn volunteers provide such interactions. Following the reading and art portions of the day, volunteers and students have lunch together at the school and have the opportunity to get to know each other. 

Studies show that students can lose as much as 30% of their learning during the summer vacation. A recent article in TIME magazine reported that low income students are disproportionately impacted by this learning loss. Aware of this data, we now hold Ready to Learn sessions during the summer to help students retain their reading and language skills.

Plans for expansion include taking the program to other schools, adding sessions at 49th Street, continuing the program with the same children as they matriculate to higher grades, expanding summer sessions to prevent summer learning loss and adding math/science components.

Childhood obesity is an epidemic that we need to stop, now. Kid Fit is a one-day event that includes physical activities and fun nutritional lessons to empower children to make the best decisions about their health. The day of fun will support not only the kids in underserved areas but also their families.

The Northern Trust Open is proud to support the men and women of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families through a variety of Birdies for the Brave military outreach activities that will be taking place throughout tournament week.

Highlights Include:
- Complimentary ticketing for active duty, retired, and Reserve military along with their dependents
- Discounted tickets for veterans
- Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost military hospitality chalet
- Military Caddie Program
- Operation Shower
- Care Packages
- PGA TOUR Picnic

Military Ticketing
To show our appreciation to the courageous members of the military, the Northern Trust Open invites all active duty, retired and Reserve military members and their dependents to join us at the tournament all week free of charge, with a valid military ID.  Discounted tickets are also available for veterans.  For more information and to obtain your military ticket(s), please visit www.BirdiesfortheBrave.org.

Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost presented by The Annenberg Foundation
We encourage all military members to join us at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost presented by The Annenberg Foundation, a hospitality venue located on the 10th green, dedicated exclusively to military members and their dependents, which will serve as their home base at the golf tournament. Open Wednesday through Sunday, The Patriots' Outpost will offer complimentary food and beverage.

Military Caddie Program:
During Wednesday's Pro-Am, active duty military will have the opportunity to caddie for PGA TOUR players for one hole.  This unique program enables our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces to get up close and personal with their favorite PGA TOUR stars. 
If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact Kristi Fowlks at kristifowlks@pgatourhq.com

Operation Shower:
On Wednesday February 15, Birdies for the Brave will host Operation Shower, a baby shower for expectant military moms to be.  Over 40 women will be showered in the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost.

Care Packages: 
Please stop by the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost on the 10th green on Wednesday from 12-2pm and help us pack care packages to send to our troops stationed overseas.

PGA TOUR Picnic at the Los Angeles VA Hospital:
For the third year in a row, Birdies for the Brave will host the PGA TOUR picnic on Tuesday of tournament week at the Los Angeles VA Hospital.  Annually hosted by NBA Hall of Famer, Jerry West, it is the tournament's opportunity to give back to veterans in the local community.

Birdies for the Brave is a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR. Originally created by TOUR player Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, Birdies for the Brave includes rehabilitative golf clinics and special opportunities for wounded warriors; military appreciation activities during TOUR events; and fundraising events held at TPC clubs nationwide -- an effort that has raised more than $7.5 million for military homefront groups that provide critical programs and services for military men and women and their families.

For more information on Birdies for the Brave military outreach please visit our website, www.birdiesforthebrave.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.