The Los Angeles Rams organization recognizes its unique ability to help raise awareness and funds for causes and issues relevant to their fans and community members. The entire organization is committed to serving as a valuable community partner and benefiting the Los Angeles region 365 days a year.
The Rams continue to reinforce their commitment to social responsibility through an internal focus on diversity, equity and inclusion among their staff and externally through the team’s focus on community outreach initiatives. At the heart of the team’s community outreach efforts is a commitment to providing access and opportunity, driving equity and pushing for social justice. Through various programs and initiatives, the Rams work to address issues of poverty including education inequities, housing and food insecurities, community-police relations, youth justice and mentorship.
Through year-round school engagement including funding City Year student success coaches, literacy and attendance campaigns, school beautification projects, college field trips and STEAM labs, the Rams are doing their part to ensure a stronger public education system.
The team also created the Rise with the Rams program designed to harness the unifying power of sports and build relationships and understanding between Los Angeles area high school football teams with a cross-section of races and socioeconomic backgrounds. The program has engaged nearly a dozen high school football teams since the program kicked off in 2018.
To address issues of access for minority youth, the Rams hire students from various school districts as part of a summer internship program in partnership with LA Promise Fund. The internship selection process requires students to submit their resumes and participate in professional interviews with team executives. The objective of the program is to expose students to opportunities in a professional setting, while expanding their skills, experiences, and network as they prepare for college or enter the workplace following high school or college graduation. The students work in different departments throughout the organization. The Rams have engaged more than 70 high school students through the internship program that began in 2018. Additionally, this past season, the team introduced the Pathways to Success mentorship program and worked with various nonprofit organizations to identify minority youth who were paired mentors that consisted of Rams front office staffers throughout the season.
The team also continues to work closely with Brotherhood Crusade and College Track on mentorship programs for youth. Earlier this year, the Rams worked with Brotherhood Crusade to provide a 24-year-old Crenshaw native battling homelessness, Joseph Merchain, with a paid internship during the 2021 NFL season. The internship provided Joseph with on-the-job skills training and valuable mentorship during his 100-hour working experience in the Rams’ Community Affairs department. In partnership with College Track, the Rams provide high school and college students with a day-long corporate residency experience annually. During the program, Rams staff engage the students in a panel discussion, breakout sessions and mock interviews. In 2020, the Rams became the first professional sports organization to pioneer the program with College Track.
Through programs such as the Watts Rams, Inglewood Rams and free football clinics, the Rams are using the game of football to help bridge the divide between police and communities of color. The Watts Rams, a youth football program, coached by LAPD officers, was adopted by the LA Rams in 2019. The Rams fund all football components of the program, including uniforms and equipment. The Rams also provide engagement opportunities with current players, alumni, coaches, scouts, as well as business and football operations staff throughout the year.
Inspired by the success of the Watts Rams, the Los Angeles Rams adopted the Inglewood Parks and Recreation Flag Football League in October of 2019, renaming the program the Inglewood Rams. The league consists of 22 teams with more than 260 youth participants. Officers with the Inglewood Police Department serve as mentors for the 11–12-year-old teams to continue bridging the gaps between law enforcement and communities of color.
For more information, visit therams.com/community.
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