Group1001 pledges $5 million gift to bring synthetic turf athletic fields and MLB Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs to underserved communities
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation today announced plans to design and construct ten Youth Development Parks in five years in major league markets across the country, thanks in part to a generous $5 million gift from Group1001. In addition, Major League Baseball will launch a Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program at each location, MLB’s initiative to provide baseball & softball league-play for underserved youth. Since 2009, the Ripken Foundation has 78 completed parks across the country in 22 states and Washington D.C., impacting over 280,000 kids annually.
“We are incredibly honored by the commitment made today by Group1001 which will provide thousands of kids across the country with a safe place to play, learn and grow ,” Baseball Hall of Famer and Ripken Foundation Vice Chairman Cal Ripken, Jr. “Together with Group1001 and our friends at Major League Baseball, we look forward to bringing a positive environment and mentoring programs that will help guide our youth both on the field and in the game of life including the value of teamwork, respect and personal responsibility.”
The first three Youth Development Parks will be built in the following locations: Brooks Robinson Field in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania near Willie Stargell Field, and the Washington D.C. area in partnership with the Prince George’s County Police Department. Future projects are planned for communities in Austin, Texas, Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, South Florida, andthe New York City area. Each location will feature a low maintenance, synthetic turf field for baseball, softball and football/soccer fields as space allows, along with new fencing, bleachers, digital scoreboards, lighting, walkways and irrigation systems where needed.
“We’re very excited to be investing in such an important partnership with our outstanding partners of Major League Baseball and the Ripken Foundation,” said Dan Towriss, CEO, Group1001. “Like MLB and the Ripken Foundation, we believe in our duty to empower people to chase their dreams and to support the communities in most need of empowerment through education and sports. We believe sports have the power to transform lives and are thrilled to be involved with such a meaningful program like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI).”
“Today is a great example of the power of teamwork, passion and coming together for a common goal. We look forward to bringing additional RBI programs to communities and youth in need, in addition to a beautiful new field they can call home,” added Tony Reagins, Executive Vice President of Baseball and Softball Development at Major League Baseball.
The Ripken Foundation’s Youth Development Park Initiative creates clean, safe places for kids to play on multipurpose, synthetic surface fields that promote healthy living in an outdoor recreational facility. In 2017, the Ripken Foundation impacted nearly 1.4 million kids nationwide through its Youth Development Park and mentor programs.
Link to Digital Press Kit (includes photos & videos from announcement)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dlt6fsp4d2b1emb/AABHdMSZvQMkBZSGpR3cEB_ga?dl=0
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
For the last 17 years, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has worked tirelessly to implement youth development programs and create parks that directly address the problems facing at-risk youth in distressed communities across the country. Inspired by one of the most iconic baseball families, the Ripkens created the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to honor the legacy of its family patriarch, longtime coach, and mentor, Cal Ripken, Sr. The Ripken Foundation uses sports-themed activities to bring police officers, youth partners and underserved kids ages 9 – 14 together on a level playing field to learn invaluable life skills.
The Ripken Foundation’s Youth Development Park Initiative creates clean, safe places for kids to play on multipurpose, synthetic surface fields that promote healthy living in an outdoor recreational facility. Since 2009, the Ripken Foundation has 78 completed parks across the country in 22 states, impacting over 280,000 kids annually. In 2017, the Ripken Foundation impacted nearly 1.4 million kids nationwide through its Youth Development Park and mentor programs. For more information, visit www.RipkenFoundation.org. Follow @CalRipkenSrFdn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Group1001
Group1001, LLC is an insurance holding company in the United States, with current combined assets under management of approximately $36 billion as of December 31, 2017, and a mission to make insurance and retirement products more useful, intuitive, and accessible so everyone can get the most value from their money.
