Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today a list of grantees for 2024 who will receive funding generated by the team's social justice initiative, Detroit Lions Inspire Change.
Launched by Lions players and ownership following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL season, Detroit Lions Inspire Change will invest $471,000 in financial support through grants to six Metro Detroit organizations this year.
"Since launching the Inspire Change initiative in 2018, we as a unified locker room have been able to provide support to dozens of groups here in our city who are doing important work," said Lions T Taylor Decker. "The special platform we have allows us to take action and contribute toward causes that have personal meaning to us as players."
The six organizations selected this year – Alternatives for Girls, Athletes for Charity, Detroit Phoenix Center, Downtown Boxing Gym, Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation and The Yunion – were identified by current Lions players as leaders in making a positive impact in the city of Detroit and surrounding areas.
"As a former Detroit Lion and a community activist, to have the support of the Detroit Lions players and the organization gives me the passion and the extra resources to go out and impact more kids and families," said Lions Legend OT Lomas Brown, founder of Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation. "There is great pride in knowing that the impact being made in the community by all our organizations is appreciated by this young generation of players."
See below for more information on the 2024 grantees.
Alternatives For Girls
Alternatives For Girls is dedicated to helping girls and young women experiencing homelessness and other risks avoid violence, early pregnancy and exploitation. The organization helps these individuals explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices for their lives.
The organization will plan to use the Inspire Change grant funds for sustaining and enhancing the Alternatives For Girls' Shelter and Transitional Living project. The program provides longer-term shelter and support, including acquiring life skills, obtaining employment, continuing their education and obtaining safe permanent housing.
Athletes for Charity
Athletes for Charity is dedicated to encouraging the giving of time, financial resources and information to improve the collective lives of disadvantaged youth, advance the common good and support nonprofit sectors that benefit the underprivileged, including foster care children.
Athletes for Charity plans to use the funds from Inspire Change for purchasing books and education products to support STEM and literacy initiatives; supplies for mentoring programs; costs for contests and challenges for students; admissions, transportation and meals for field trips; rewards for students nominated by teachers for academic excellence, attendance and behavior; equipment (tablets, laptops) for student use; and additional program-related costs including vendor fees.
Detroit Phoenix Center
Detroit Phoenix Center responds to the needs of underserved and street-connected youth in Detroit. They support young people, ages 13-24, through direct services including a daily drop-in center for young adults, afterschool enrichment programs for teens, a youth action board, emergency crisis housing and a scholarship fund.
Through Inspire Change grant funds, they plan to expand the SOAR Academic Support Program for McKinney Vento-eligible students. The SOAR program is an afterschool enrichment program that provides a safe and educational afterschool experience for students in grades 8-12 who are McKinney Vento eligible, meaning they are without a fixed, regular or adequate residence. Students can participate in optional enrichment clubs and access mental health support, showers, washers/dryers, daybeds and lockers.
Downtown Boxing Gym
Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG) teaches valuable life lessons to students by providing mentorship, tutoring, enrichment programs, college and career readiness, socio-emotional skills and basic needs support (e.g., transportation, food).
DBG plans to use the grant funds from Inspire Change for maintenance costs associated with Books Before Boxing, which is youth sports programming, and to compensate part-time/seasonal athletics team members and coaches.
Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation
Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation provides college-bound high school students with postsecondary scholarships and financial aid. Through educational and physical conditioning enhancement camps, the foundation has been able to strengthen students' academic skill sets, physical abilities, life skills and career awareness.
With the grant funds received from the Inspire Change initiative, Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation plans to purchase laptops, food, school supplies and any other resources to support low-income students and families.
The Yunion
The Yunion [pronounced union] serves youth and families by offering life-changing programs that help them thrive in the Metro Detroit area. Their mission is to counter negative cultural influences that misdirect the lives of youth by raising awareness and strengthening families through innovative prevention programming, education, parental engagement, mentoring and counseling.
With Inspire Change grant funds, The Yunion plans to sustain and expand the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy which focuses on personalized mentorship, skill development and fostering resilience among middle and high school-aged boys.
