Photos

Take a look at some photo memories from A Better LA events.

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Willie McGinest hosts A Foundation For Kids bowling event - March 2012 (81 photos)

Former USC Trojans and New England Patriots great Willie McGinest hosted a fundraiser for A Foundation For Kids on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at the Exclusive 300 Anaheim bowling facility. Over 300 guests bowled, ate, and enjoyed meeting NFL and NBA stars.

Marshall Madness 2012 (450 photos)

The USC Marshall Business School part time graduate program held it's 4th annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament benefit, with proceeds going to A Better LA. This tournament had 24 teams, the most ever, and included a Faculty team led by professor Dave Belasco, and included Pete Carroll (former USC football coach and founder of A Better LA) and Pete's son Nate. The faculty team finished 3rd overall, losing only to eventual champion Big Ballers; and runner-up team Penninsula.

O.C. Sports Museum - 2009 (44 photos)

USC and NFL great Curtis Conway was the featured special guest on hand to host kids from the neighborhoods served by A Better LA for an afternoon at the Orange County Sports Museum in Newport Beach.

Christmas 2011 at Helen Keller Park (144 photos)

Over 1,000 community guests gathered on Saturday, December 17th, to enjoy the 6th annual Christmas party at Helen Keller Park in Los Angeles. Guests were treated to food, snacks, carnival games and prizes, bounce houses, entertainment by Rage Crew and others, face painting, and finally gifts for all children in attendance, thanks to the generosity of Leap Frog, BAFTA, A Foundation For Kids, A Better LA, LA Parks Dept, and others who held toy drives and helped collect gifts for kids in this community. Special thanks to El Payaso Rody for the great face painting!

Santa Pictures 2011 (109 photos)

Children attending the 6th annual community Christmas party at Helen Keller Park post for a photo with Santa

Unity One Community Christmas Party 2011 (101 photos)

Through generous toy donations from fans attending the USC vs UCLA football game in November, as well as corporate sponsors including Unified Grocers and Leap Frog, Cornell Ward and Unity One held a Christmas party for over 1,000 members of the community on Wednesday afternoon, December 14th. There were games, prizes and food. The highlight of the day were gift bags given to each child in attendance, and members of the USC football team and Coach Lane Kiffin helped hand out the toys to the kids.

USC Athletics - Community Bowl 2011 (425 photos)

On the first Saturday of December, 2011, the USC Trojans athletes held their own "Community Bowl" just a couple of blocks from campus at Weemes Elementary. About 10 athletic teams were represented, including football, tennis, golf, track, women's soccer, men's volleyball, and women's lacross. The project involved spending the day with the elementary school kids and helping beautify the campus - painting, cleaning and personalizing. The work was vigorous and went quickly, so it left lots of time for reading with the kids as well as play time. Turns out women's soccer players are also excellent at kick ball and we also discovered some new four square champs! The best part was watching world class athletes balance their competitive nature with their joy of playing with the kids.

Kiff's Kids Toy Drive 2011 (61 photos)

Bring a toy to the USC vs UCLA game at the Coliseum on November 26th for distribution to low income families in Los Angeles

California Cowboys - Oct 2011 @ Crenshaw H.S. (194 photos)

The California Cowboys teams faced off against the Colts in Snoop League action at Crenshaw High School. Cowboys cheerleaders were there too (sorry - promise to get cheer pictures next time).

Bloomingdales hosts a release party for ABLA (78 photos)

On September 15, 2011, two great events occurred about 1,100 miles apart. In Seattle, Pete Carroll and the Seahawks announced the launching of A Better Seattle, a program to help make positive changes in communities from within, using the successful methods and training developed by A Better LA. In Santa Monica that same evening, A Better LA was hosted by new sponsor Bloomingdales in a star-studded release party of the newly designed T-shirts. In addition to the $10,000 gift from Bloomingdales presented to ABLA executive director Brian Center, the store also has pledged part of the proceeds from the shirt sales to the organization.

APUU 2011 Back To School Event - Algin Sutton Park (229 photos)

APUU held its 4th annual back-to-school event at Algin Sutton Park on Saturday, August 27, 2011, hosting about 1,500 kids and parents. The guests enjoyed barbecued food and cold fruit, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, carnival games and prizes and popular inflatable "bounce house" activities. Sponsorship by Vermont Village Community Developement Corp, the Dept of Water & Pwer and the California Endowment helped make it financially possible to hold the event. APUU, with co-hosts A Foundation For Kids and A Better LA, and were able to distribute over 800 backpacks (donated by Reebok and APUU) and school supplies. The day went smoothly, thanks to a great staff of APUU volunteers working side by side with about 50 volunteers from the USC Marshall School of Business MBA program (great job Trojans!). Toyota donated 50 special backpacks which were won by school aged kids in various contests. Several happy adults walked away with new appliances that were donated by Southern California Edison, and all families received non-perishable food items courtesy of the donors to A Foundation For Kids. Special guest photographers Iking and Dena assisted the photo staff of A Better LA, contributing several great pictures to this collection

Walk For Life - 2011 (123 photos)

Three parks in the West Athens area of Los Angeles came together to participate in the 2nd annual Walk for Life, organized by C.U.R.E. and P.C.I. The Sheriffs and Parks departments took an active role in supporting the event that covered approximately 3 miles from Helen Keller Park, to Athens and finally ending up at Magic Johnson Park.

Keeping Kids Safe Golf Tournament (206 photos)

A Foundation For Kids and A Better LA joined together to host their first annual benefit golf tournament at Pacific Palms Resort on July 18, 2011. The organizations have partnered many times in helping the community - especially the kids. The event included a morning visit and inspiring speech to the golfers by Coach Pete Carroll, and many NFL celebrity golfers on hand to enjoy the day and support the cause

PCITI - graduating class #5 (107 photos)

PCITI celebrated its 5th graduating class on the evening of July 14, 2011, honoring the men and women who successfully completed the challenging 18 week course. The event was held at the African American Firefighters Museum near downtown L.A.

4th of July - 2011 at L.A. Coliseum (143 photos)

Unity One and A Foundation For Kids collaborated on producing day long entertainment leading up to the fantastic fireworks show at night. Proceeds from the event help support Unity One's efforts to make the communities of Los Angeles safe.

Feed the Need - July 2011 (62 photos)

Aquil Basheer and Mark Chow (of PCITI and A Foundation For Kids, respectively) organized another Feed the Need - this time in the neighborhoods of Jordan Downs, the Hacienda and Nickerson Gardens.

Helen Keller Park Little League - June 2011 (133 photos)

While C.U.R.E. hosted their Father's Day 3-on-3 tournament on one side of the park, the little leaguers staged games throughout the day. The park director, Mike Ealey, was coach of one team as were several parents from the local area

Fathers Day 3-on-3 Tournament 2011 - Helen Keller Park (103 photos)

C.U.R.E. hosted the annual 3-on-3 Fathers Day basektball tournament at Helen Keller Park. There were two age divisions and great competition all around. At the end of the day, the two-time defending champions became the three-peat champions, going undefeated in the double elimination tournament

AFFK Walk - June 2011 (35 photos)

A Foundation For Kids held a walk at Scandia Park in Ontario to raise money in support of their cause to benefit kids that are at risk and in need throughrout Southern California. Major sponsorship for the walk was provided by Wells Fargo Bank and OHL, with both of those companies turning our large groups of walkers to show support for the cause and enjoy a day of carnival games, barbeque picnic lunch, and full access to the amusement park.

Marshall Madness 2011 (207 photos)

The USC Marshall School of Business graduate students hosted "Marshall Madness" 3 on 3 basketball tourament on May 22, 2011, with proceeds benefitting A Better LA. This is the 3rd year that A Better LA has been part of the tournament, which was held at USC's fantastic sports facility, the Galen Center. Compeition was intense, as always, and the sportsmanship by the players was impressive. Team "Timeout" won, with an impressive 2nd play finish by "Ali's team", led by shooting guard Ali, the only woman in the tournament.

BIG SUNDAY 2011 (194 photos)

Frequent volunteers with A Better LA – the USC West L.A. alumni group headed by JaBari Brown coordinated volunteers from various USC groups in Southern California, including the Asian American Alumni Club, the Beverly Hills / Hollywood, club and others to participate in Big Sunday 2011 (bigsunday.org). The project took place at Queen Anne Elementary School (across the street from Queen Anne Recreation Center, location of Unity One Easter Events) and included helping out with various areas of need at the school. JaBari and his team (including Ashley and Clint) worked with school principal Mr. Serrano to organize the approximate 100 volunteers covering 3 shifts who dug out a large ivy covered area that will become a garden area for the kids, weeded and planted flowers and plants in several areas around the campus, and cleaned out and organized a basement, including building shelves, full of furniture and school supplies. A Better LA’s great partner, A Foundation For Kids, provided gift bags for the kids as well as drinks and chips for the workers. Chipotle Pasadena donated burritos to feed the hungry workers. It was an impressive coming together of volunteers with staff members, parents and kids from the school.

Trojan Knights with C.U.R.E. at USC Baseball (6 photos)

The Trojan Knights, long-time supporters of A Better LA, hosted a group of kids (12 and under) at the USC Baseball game on April 26, 2011 against Cal St Long Beach. The kids enjoyed great seats, knowledgeable hosts and good snacks during the game featuring the 12 time national champion Trojans.

A Foundation For Kids - Easter 2011 (128 photos)

A Foundation for Kids, the organization that partners with A Better LA on community events, hosted a community Easter Picnic at Guasti Park on Saturday, April 16th. They had over 800 kids and adults enjoy festivities hosted (volunteers & product donations ) by NGL LeapFrog, Converse Shoes, Skechers USA & Air - 1 Radio. The Easter Picnic featured a bbq lunch, hosted snack bar, picnic field games, a giant easter egg hunt, games & prizes, inflatables, balloon making, face painting and easter crafts. Special thanks to LeapFrog who donated over 700 easter gift bags with LeapFrog toys, Converse Shoes and Skechers USA for donation of over 450 pairs of shoes for kids that day, Weber Distribution for Easter candy, Unified Grocers for beverages and hotdogs and Wells Fargo Bank Temecula Valley for Easter baskets!

Win Forever Football Camp - Apr 2, 2011 (204 photos)

A group of 3rd through 6th graders were provided a unique experience on Saturday, April 2nd, as Chick Hearn Blvd next to the Staples Center was turned into a practice field (dubbed "Farmers Field". A coaching staff lead by Pete Carroll put the kids through 2 hours of drills, instruction and fun.

Win Forever Coach's Clinic - Apr 2011 (87 photos)

Pete Carroll and a team of outstanding speakers brought the Win Forever philosophy to about 200 Los Angeles area coaches in a 4 hour presentation at the Grammy Museum auditorium at L.A. Live.

Feed The Need - April 2, 2011 (26 photos)

A Better LA, A Foundation For Kids and Maximum Force / PCITI hosted a "Feed The Need" day in Los Angeles, distributing free food to the community. Coach Pete Carroll stopped by after his football camp at the Staples Center to meet the people and witness the operations that he helped to create

Win Forever - April 2011 (53 photos)

The weekend started with a 4 hour coach's clinic for local youth football coach's (including high school and community college). Bright and early the next morning the street in front of the Staples Center was converted into a practice field for 3rd through 6th grade kids who came to learn skills from Pete Carroll and the terrific group of coaches that were on hand to run the camp. Finally, a chance to visit with the community at a food distribution sponsored by A Better LA, A Foundation For Kids, and PCITI.

Changing The Game Lunch - March 16, 2011 (85 photos)

The location was USC's historical Town & Gown. The audience were business and community leaders from Southern California. The panel of leaders include Pete Carroll, Tim Lieweke, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and Sheriff Lee Baca. The discussions were, well, riveting, as the panel discussed the tremendous impact of A Better LA in the community by bringing together law enforcement agencies with community workers to help make changes from within - reducing gang violence through creation of alternative programs and training. A young man who had been involved in gangs spent time inprison talked about how the process of A Better LA has helped him get a driver's license, skill training and a job, and changed his direction in life in starting a family and wanting to be an example of how to create a positive outcome and overcoming challenges.

A Foundation For Kids - Valentines 2011 shopping day (36 photos)

A Foundation For Kids, the organization that co-hosts events with A Better LA, hosted a kids "shopping" day at their Ontario warehouse for local area families (everything was free for the lucky guests). Kids got to select from a variety of clothes, educational games, watches and other items donated by sponsors which included Skechers and Leap Frog.

Rage Crew - 2010 Christmas Party (28 photos)

The surprise entertainment at the 2010 Christmas party was Colton B and the Rage Crew dance group.

Christmas 2010 - Helen Keller Park (99 photos)

Christmas 2010 - Athens Park (346 photos)

Heavy rains in Southern California forced the annual Christmas party indoors at the last moment - through cooperation of the parks dept, event co-host C.U.R.E., and local organizations Kalicoat kids and PCI for a successful event at Athens Park gym that served 1,500 kids.

Feed the need - Sept 2010 (130 photos)

Feed the Need took to the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday, September 11th, serving 3 different communities with frozen bread dough, cereal, milk and other food products. The temperatures soared to over 90 degrees as the volunteers unloaded the refrigerated McLane truck and worked with the patient and appreciative community members to distribute the food.

APUU Community Event - Aug 2010 (134 photos)

APUU (Advocates for Peace and Urban Unity - apuu.org), in conjunction with A Better LA and A Foundation For Kids, held their 3rd annual picnic on Saturday, August 28th, at Algin Sutton Park in Los Angeles. Volunteers from APUU teamed with volunteers from the USC Marshall graduate school of business to staff the event and provide a day of fun, food, and distribution of school supplies.

Walk For Life - Aug 2010 (63 photos)

An area that had a violent past now has a bright future. Community leaders (often consisting of those who previously contributed to the problems) have lead the area to unity and understanding, which was celebrated on a Saturday morning in August as people covered a 3 mile route from Helen Keller Park along El Segundo Blvd to Magic Johnson Park in a WALK FOR LIFE. The participants included people from the different communities served by Helen Keller Park, Athens Park and Magic Johnson Park.

PCI Open House (24 photos)

People for Community Improvement (PCI) and director Kenneth Jones hosted an open house on Thursday, June 29, 2010 at their new community center near on Figueroa St. just south of El Segundo Blvd.

Book signing - Torrance (27 photos)

Monday, July 19th saw the Win Forever make it's closest stop to Trojan Country when it arrived at the Borders bookstore in Torrrance. A crowd of around 600 showed up to share the evening, which lasted for hours as the Coach signed well over a 1,000 items and made sure he got to each and every person who made it out to see him.

Lunch with a Legend at Morton's (20 photos)

At an event that had been sold out for weeks, Coach Carroll is part of the Lunch with A Legend series and does a live radio interview on ESPN radio with candid audience discussions during commercial breaks

Book Signing - Huntington Beach (44 photos)

The book signing tour arrived in Huntington Beach on Friday, July 16th, after beginning the week in New York.

Summer Night Lights 2010 (7 photos)

A summer program we run in collaboration with the Mayor's office. Lets kids stay out and play June-September, even when the sun goes down.

Win Forever Book Tour (44 photos)

Our founder, Pete Carroll, touring with his new book, Win Forever. Part of the proceeds went to A Better LA. The tour was a great success. Win Forever made it to the #7 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List!

4th of July @ Coliseum - 2010 (80 photos)

A Better LA and a crowd of about 20,000 celebrated our nations independence with games and food during the afternoon followed by an hour long fireworks show over the L.A. Memorial Coliseum at night.

Win Forever Football Festival (158 photos)

Win Forever and A Better LA teamed up and put on a one day free football clinic for coaches and players. Both were trained by Nike Sparq trainers and there was even a clinic for cheerleaders put on by the Song GIrls from USC. A Better LA also handed out binders and computer education Flypens and Crammers donated by LeapFrog through A Foundation For Kids for the upcoming school year.

Go Kart Day (196 photos)

Barry Bryant of Youth Our Future organized this terrific day for West Athens area youths in April 2010. A day with lots of smiles!

Father's Day 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament 2010 (252 photos)

The local community around Helen Keller Park began their weekend father’s day celebration with the annual 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the park. The event was co-sponsored by C.U.R.E., A Better LA and A Foundation for Kids. abetterla.org/blog/2010/06/22/west-athens-3-on-3-fathers-...

West Athens/Westmont Community Task Force (16 photos)

We meet every Tuesday morning, come join us! abetterla.org/blog/2010/06/16/community-task-force-meetin...

June 5 2010 neighborhood event (108 photos)

People for Community Improvement (“PCI”), A Foundation for Kids, and A Better LA teamed up to host a community event on Saturday, June 5th 2010. The event was the first of its kind to be held in this particular area. An estimated 500 local residents welcomed the carefree day of free food, drinks, snacks, carnival games, crafts, face painting, inflatable attractions and prizes. abetterla.org/blog/2010/06/09/a-“fun-day”-for-all-who...

Win Forever basketball and skate park (165 photos)

A group of donors teamed up to bring a new basketball court and skateboard park to the West Athens area of Los Angeles. The Win Forever facility at the Lennox Youth Center on Vermont Avenue was made possible by gifts from Nike, LA 84 Foundation and Win Forever. abetterla.org/blog/2010/06/04/win-forever-skate-park-and-...

Feed the Need - May 2010 (105 photos)

Maximum Force Enterprises, Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (“PCITI”) graduates and members of the Professional Peacekeepers Collaborative Alliance, A Foundation For Kids and A Better LA partnered their efforts on Saturday April 17th to distribute food to four Los Angeles areas in need under their “Feed the Need” program. abetterla.org/blog/2010/04/21/feed-the-need-food-distribu...

Dodger Games (7 photos)

Last month we had a great time with about 50 kids from A Better LA @ Dodger Stadium. abetterla.org/blog/2010/01/05/a-better-la-kids-attend-dod...

Washington Prep's 1st California State Standards Incentive Block Party (11 photos)

Marshall Madness 2010 (147 photos)

The USC Marshall School of Business held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to benefit A Better LA on May 16, 2010 at USC's Galen Center. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Big Sunday (105 photos)

On May 2nd, 2010, Los Angeles came together for one purpose: to give back. Big Sunday is a non-profit organization that mobilizes 50,000 Angelenos on this one weekend to support their community and volunteer. Various initiatives around town included beautifaction, beach clean up, feeding the homeless, school classroom set up, and refurbising community centers. A Better LA was fortunate enough to involved in Big Sunday in partnership with Ernst & Young volunteers and the People for Community Improvement community center. abetterla.org/blog/2010/05/18/big-sunday-brings-together-...

Food distribution - Apr 2010 (98 photos)

California Cowboys (54 photos)

Athens Park - shoes Apr 2010 (34 photos)

Easter 2010 (89 photos)

On Saturday April 3, 2010 A Better LA hosted Easter Events In the Park. The event at Queen Anne’s Park was a huge success and thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities. abetterla.org/blog/2010/04/08/easter-event-a-huge-success

LA Marathon 2010 (55 photos)

A Better LA is honored to be the official charity of the 2010 LA marathon. A Better LA and Win Forever founder Pete Carroll also hosted a dinner the night before the race in Santa Monica where he shared his Win Forever philosophy and how it pertains to long distance running as well as in life. abetterla.org/blog/2010/03/24/a-better-la-official-charit...

CURE: A Day in the Life of an Interventionist (25 photos)

Photographers Andres Izqueta and Marco Bollinger spent a day in south Los Angeles following around CURE (Common Unity Reaching Everyone), a funded partner of A Better LA. abetterla.org/blog/2010/02/11/five-four-presents-a-day-in...

Feed the Need - Stentorian Ctr 2010 (10 photos)

Maximum Force has partnered with A Foundation for Kids and A Better LA to coordinate monthly food and supplies hand outs in south Los Angeles. abetterla.org/blog/2010/03/01/maximum-force-and-a-foundat...

Maximum Force (266 photos)

The mission at Maximum Force Enterprises, one of the partners funded by A Better LA, is to “save lives, restore communities, provide hope, and implement solutions”. abetterla.org/blog/2010/02/25/maximum-force-enterprise-gr... Maximum Force and A Foundation For Kids partnered up on Saturday, February 14, to pass out food and educational packets to 500 families in South Los Angeles. abetterla.org/blog/2010/03/01/maximum-force-and-a-foundat...

Will Ferrell and Friends Feb. 20th, 2010 (86 photos)

On Feb. 20th, 2010 Will Ferrell hosted an Evening of Comedy for A Better LA. abetterla.org/blog/2010/02/25/will-ferrell-and-friends-ho...

Five Four: A Day in the Life of A Better LA (30 photos)

Andres Izquieta, owner of Five Four clothing retailer in Los Angeles, recently visited the A Better LA community offices in Gardena to spend a day with CURE (Common Unity Reaching Everyone) and discuss a photography project documenting “A Day in the Life of A Better LA.” abetterla.org/blog/2010/02/11/five-four-presents-a-day-in...

Pete Carroll and Bill Clinton (1 photos)

A Better LA’s Pete Carroll with President Bill Clinton on Tuesday October 6th, 2009 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. abetterla.org/blog/2009/10/26/pete-carroll-with-president...

Summer Night Lights 2009 (44 photos)

Obama’s attorney general Eric Holder came to one of our Summer Night Lights events in Watts on July 17th. I thought it was a good indication of the success we’re having that the attorney general is coming out to Los Angeles to learn about the methods we’re using to reduce gang violence. abetterla.org/blog/2009/07/27/attorney-general-visits-la-... Staff from A Better LA attended the Mayor’s Summer Night Lights program last night and experiened what it means to the community to “leave the lights on.” abetterla.org/blog/2009/08/27/summer-night-lights-ross-sn...

Washington State Pregame (36 photos)

Rotary Peacemakers of 5280 (2 photos)

Algin Sutton Community Day in the Park (63 photos)

On August 29th, 2010 A Better LA co-hosted a peaceful community event at Algin Sutton Park at 8800 Hoover Blvd in Los Angeles just south of USC. abetterla.org/blog/2009/08/30/algin-sutton-park-event

Henry Winkler visits A Better LA (47 photos)

We have seen Henry Winkler on TV (perhaps best known as “The Fonz” in Happy Days), in movies, and on the USC sideline as a fan. On Friday we saw Henry in a different role — as children’s book author and enthralling speaker to a group of youngsters that gathered at an event co-hosted by USC Coach Pete Carroll’s organization A Better LA and the Parks and Recreation Department at Helen Keller Park in Los Angeles. abetterla.org/blog/2009/10/12/henry-winkler-reads-to-a-be...

Christmas 2009 - Helen Keller Park (89 photos)

USC Football Coach Pete Carroll joined the holiday festivities that included bounce houses, snow, carnival games, Out of This World BBQ, cotton candy and snacks, and toys for all children (provided by Leap Frog)