Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Badges for Baseball Mentoring Program

This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will assist in the development and maturity of community programs to provide mentoring services to high-risk populations that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges of the targeted population, or other analogous situations identified by the community in need of mentoring services. This program is authorized under the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117).

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) uses the vehicle of team sports, specifically baseball, to inspire youth to make positive decisions pointing their lives on a path toward success. Through the Badges for Baseball program, CRSF will partner with community based organizations (CBOs) to promote healthy choices, helping at-risk youth stay in school, away from negative peer groups, and off harmful substances. Badges for Baseball uses fun, healthy activities (baseball/softball/Quickball) as a classroom for character education, engaging volunteers and law enforcement as mentors for disadvantaged youth. Additionally, the Swing for the Future program will refurbish and rebuild dangerous areas of the inner city to create one-of-a-kind Youth Development Parks, thereby providing youth with a place to play and interact with their mentors while simultaneously becoming a beacon of hope for underserved communities. Through Badges for Baseball and Swing for the Future, CRSF will impact 75 communities in multiple states, including NC, FL, MS, MD, VA, WA, AZ, WI, and CT. CA/NCF