impact
AMERICA SCORES LA is an urban youth development program that brings students together to play soccer, write, and perform community service. This helps them engage in their health, school, and community, providing students in under-resourced neighborhoods with the tools to succeed in school and life.
CORE PILLARS
POETRY
Active Minds
SOCCER
Active Bodies
SERVICE
Active Community Members
For over 15 years, AMERICA SCORES LA has proven that it works.
75%
OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR IMPROVE
THEIR GRAMMAR & WRITING MECHANICS
85%
OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR IMPROVE THEIR CARDIOVASCULAR CAPACITY
98%
OF LA SCORES ALUMNI HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL
America SCORES LA students improve their academics, physical fitness, and teamwork skills and feel empowered to lead their communities.
NATIONWide
NETWORK
6
TITLE 1 SCHOOLS
12
COACHES
350-450
STUDENTS
America SCORES LA is the only urban youth development program with a curriculum specifically aligned with the National Council of Teachers of English's 12 Standards for English Language Arts, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's 5 Standards for Physical Education, and the National Youth Leadership Council's 8 K-12 Service-Learning Standards.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Oscar Gonzalez
Oscar began mentoring as a teacher’s assistant at Palms Elementary in 1996. He was hired to coach for ASLA the year it was founded and has been the lifeblood of the organization for nearly 20 years. Oscar approaches students and peers with warmth, humor, and unparalleled patience with a skill for unlocking hidden potential. This past Summer we returned to in-person programming and Oscar’s summer program received a prestigious award from the National Summer Learning Association.
Amy O’Dowd
Amy grew up in the Palms community, attended Palms Middle School, and returned to teach there after graduating college. She began coaching for ASLA in their very first year of middle school programming. Miguel happened to be a student-athlete at Palms Middle at the time, which makes working together as co-directors today that much more meaningful. Before joining the co-director team, Amy served as Program Director for both David Joseph and Geoff Wilson.
Miguel Aquino
Miguel began as a student in the program in 2003, continued through middle school, and high school. He went on to play club soccer at California State University Northridge where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology. Of all the responsibilities he shares within the organization, he’s most proud of the work he does with ASLA coaches, ensuring student-athletes obtain their goals on and off the field.
Erikca N. Wilson
Erikca has been with ASLA since the Fall of 2004, providing quality and transformative programming. With her guidance, a number of alumni have returned as either volunteers and/or staff to give back to their communities. Many have made healthy life decisions, both emotionally and physically as a result of being in ASLA. As an educator, scholar, and athlete, Erikca understands the importance of an organization such as America SCORES LA.
Executive Board
David Shaheen - JP Morgan // Board President
Syndie Karras - Allen Media Group
Aaron Kaufman - 2K Games
Jesus Florido - Violinist, Composer, Educator
Harry Hartford - Causeway Capital
Paul Carr-Rollitt - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
Justin Portaz - Jenner & Block LLP
If you’re interested in joining our board, please contact aaronkaufman4@gmail.com
ways to donate
At the end of the day, every cent donated back to America SCORES LA funds every aspect of our program from the arts and crafts on the table to the soccer balls and field rentals for game day, to the directorial leaders who run our program, and every last thing in between. Thank you for any contribution you can make today.