The inherent idea behind the On Deck Foundation is to promote healthier lifestyles and success for underprivileged, “at-risk,” and “high-risk” children and communities. Within some of these communities, there are children experiencing all of the above. There is, and always will be, a special interest placed on wards of the state and foster-care. This idea is played out through awareness and outreach programs established, facilitated, and supported by the On Deck Foundation. With your help, the On Deck Foundation hopes to promote a more robust sense of self and community for these children, strengthening theirs, ours, and your community bonds. Read More...

"It's nice to see these youngsters get an opportunity that they might not have, thanks to On Deck."

 -Roland Hemond, Baseball Executive

Jon Biel of Making The Difference Network is the newest member of On Deck's Advisory Board

June 18th, 2009- Jon traveled to La Verne,CA and visited Dave and Margarets Youth and Family Services Home for Girls. Jon was able to take a first hand look at an agency that places the interests of the girls first. He was able to see where they live and what a normal day looks like for these girls. Jon's Making The Difference Network is an invaluable tool for agencies like D & M to tell their story. Jon's guidance and expertise is greatly appreciated and needed here at the On Deck Foundation. Thank you again Jon!

Steve Bogan and Vineyard Church Hold Chapel for Boys and Girls from Two Agencies

June 14th, 2009- Once a month, On Deck's Steve Bogan, with help from members from Vineyard Church, minister to girls from Dave and Margarets in La Verne, CA and boys from Mckinley Children Center in San Dimas, CA. Both the boys and girls spend time listening to Coach Bogan's message, interact with the volunteers from Vineyard and offer prayers. These children offer prayer not for themselves but for their family members and fellow friends. Even through the rough times that these children have experienced, they offer prayers for others. A very special Thank You to Coach Bogan and Vineyard Church.

Itan and team USA take the silver medal in Germany

USA

SWE

6 : 7 (2:2, 0:2, 3:0, 1:3)

United States – Sweden 6-7 (2-2, 0-2, 3-0, 1-3)
Saturday, 13th. June 2009-Sweden made it three in a row at the Inline Hockey World Championship, downing the United States 7-6 in the gold medal game. The title was Sweden’s fifth-ever at the event. For the Americans the silver medal marks a return to the Inline podium for the first time since 2006.

Itan Chavira makes USA Roller Hockey Team

May 3rd 2009- Congratulations to Itan making the USA team. All of your kids wish you luck, even Jorge!!

First Latino California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso along with Greenlining Institute's Executive Director Orson Aguilar and Health Policy Director Hector Preciado acknowledge On Deck's Mission

April 3, 2009-Elaine & Cruz Reynoso with On Deck Board Members Hector Preciado and Brett P. Pierce

16th Annual Greenlining Institute Economic Summit

Over 1,000 Business, Community, and Government Leaders Convene to Discuss California’s Economic Crisis and Opportunities for Change 

LOS ANGELES (April 03, 2009) — Over 1,000 business, community, and government leaders joined forces to discuss the current economic crisis and opportunities for change.  The day-long event took place during The Greenlining Institute’s 16th Annual Economic Summit on Friday April 3 at the Our Lady of the Angels Center at Cathedral Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Phil Angelides, the Chairman of the Apollo Alliance and former California State Treasurer kicked off the morning panel with a passionate presentation, detailing the need for smart investments in the state’s emerging green economy.  Randall Stevenson, the Chairman, CEO and President of AT&T, the world’s largest telecommunications company addressed participants interested in boosting California’s sagging economy.  He was joined by Richard Davis, the CEO of US Bank.  Click here to read entire summit schedule.

These leaders were joined by legislators, grassroots community leaders,  small businesses advocates, victims of the foreclosure crisis, and the newly unemployed.   The day’s three panel discussions focused on the emerging green economy, the housing crisis, and health.   Panelists for these sessions included CPUC Commissioner Diane Grueneich, Dr. Robert Ross, President of The California Endowment, and California legislative leaders including Senator Alex Padilla, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, Assemblymember Manuel Perez and Assemblymember Ted Lieu.  

Other highlights of the day included recognition for the legacy of two of California’s unsung leaders, Robert Gnaizda and John Gamboa, founders of The Greenlining Institute.  They received Greenlining’s Lifetime Achievement Award for their dedication and hard work for improving the lives of California’s underserved communities for over 40 years. The evening’s special commemorative event included a screening of a tribute video on John and Bob's life work, produced by Greenlining's own Multimedia Academy.

In addition to recognizing the work of Bob Gnaizda and John Gamboa, Greenlining honored other community leaders including Assemblymember Ted Lieu, Martha Montoya, Board member of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Keith Kelley, Executive Director of the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development,  Earl Skip Cooper, President of the Black Business Association, and Erik Paulino, Founder of La Unidad Latina Foundation.

Jon Nist Wins Redlands Criterium

March 29, 2009- Jon Nist, rider for the Coates Cyclery/ On Deck Foundation Team wins the 45+ Redlands Classic Criterium. Congratulations to Jon and the rest of the team. Children within the Foster System also congratulate Jon and the rest of the On Deck Team and wishes the best. For the results of Jon's race, click here!

On Deck partners with Toyota Irwindale Speedway in new ROTC program

March 21, 2009- Toyota Irwindale Speedway and On Deck partner up and have created opportunity for the children of the LA County Foster System to obtain work experience. Irwindale's ROTC program enables children within the system to gain the skills needed for this big world most of them will face at 18 years of age and alone.The On Deck Foundation would like to thank Toyota Irwindale Speedway once again for for giving these children opportunity!

 On Deck welcomes the Chavira brothers, Xochil and Itan, as newest members of the Advisory Board.

Itan Chavira at Newport Beach from itan chavira on Vimeo.

March 21, 2009- Itan is a right wing for the Ontario Reign and Xochil is a photography director and film producer and both share the same vision as On Deck!

March 20-22nd San Dimas Stage Race highlights Coates Cyclery/On Deck Team

March20-22nd-This weekend’s race will have members of the Coates Cyclery/On Deck team. Not only will they be riding for themselves and the team, but a greater purpose as well. The team was set up in an effort to bring the gift of cycling to the lives of children within our foster system. These riders spend time mentoring and role-modeling for a population that has been long misunderstood. The foster system is not the same as juvenile hall. Not all children in the foster system are orphans, but all orphans are in the foster system. The rest is made up of children in the system for protection. This is also why there is a junior team as well where some of these children will find that the bicycle is their way out. Another thank you to the riders from the children you will see along the routes. Good Luck Coates Cyclery/On Deck Team.

Brian Hunter spreads word of On Deck on New York radio program

March 9, 2009 -Former Braves 1B and On Deck Advisory Board Member, Brian Hunter makes his inaugeral debut to NYBD Radio. Brian was with Atlanta for the first three of their 15 strait division titles. Listen to him remember 3 classic Game 7 wins against the Pirates and Twins. We will remember the classic 6 game series against the Mets in 1999. Brian will also preview the NL East and finish with some On Deck awareness with host Mike Silva. LISTEN

Mt. San Antonio College baseball program goes above and beyond when it comes to the foster children of Sac'c community

Walnut, CA- March 5, 2009 - Mt Sac'c baseball program welcomed about 20 boys from their area to catch a home game against Long Beach City. Head Coach, Stacy Parker and pitching coach George Barnes really went out of their way to make the boys feel special, and they did. Each boy was given a game hat, program and was even fed. Each boy also got a baseball signed by the whole team. The boys had to leave in the 10th inning with the score tied at 4 due to it already being past most of their bedtimes. The baseball gods did their thing in the 12th. Sac ended up winning 5-4. Another very special thanks to the coaches and players!

On Deck and Coates Cyclery bring cycling as an option

February 26th 2009-The establishment of a cycling program (Master’s and Junior racing) is our continued response to the diverse needs and experiences of the children that the On Deck Foundation has pledged to serve. The opportunity to showcase one’s talents and be a part of something special is the dream of every child. Cycling provides the aforementioned without the necessity of racing a bicycle. We believe the diversity of experiences in cycling are the perfect platform to move all of our endeavors forward. In particular, we believe that cycling provides the best opportunity for us to promote community involvement, interest, and activism pertaining to a special population of children whose needs have long been inadequately met. It is thus our intended purpose to utilize cycling to establish social justice now and well into the future for these children; as well as, to others like them who could benefit from the positive interactions and experiences gained through cycling and community activism.

Bishop Amat, USC and Cleveland Brown star, Daylon McCutcheon visits residential facility

Jan. 2009- Retired NFL star, Daylon McCutcheon, took some time to visit a residential facility in the San Gabriel Valley. This particular facility housed about 60 boys ages 7-17. Most of the boys in this population were failed by an adult at one point or another. Residential facility is a nice term for "Orphanage". Daylon's hour immediatly impacted many of the 40 or so boys who were able to hear him speak. His message was to write their goals down and to post them in their rooms. At the end of the day when each child goes to bed, they are the only ones who know if they took a step forward that day, or a step back! Another very special Thank You to Daylon!

USC Football program opens it's doors and heart to LA County foster youth

10/30/08 LOS ANGELES, CA-USC's football program, thanks to coaches, Rocky Seto and Pete Carroll, opened it's doors to their private practice during the week of the Washington game to a group of boys ages 11-17 from the LA County foster system. The boys themselves had the time of their life watching from the sidelines. They were able to watch first hand some of their favorite players up close. A very special thank you to Mark Sanchez, Rey Maualuga and Fili Moala for taking time to chat and take pictures with the boys. Another special thank you to them and Coach Carroll for also leaving tickets for the Washington game for the boys for their first college football game!

Former Major Leaguer & current Atlanta Braves Supervising Scout, Brian Hunter, visits Canyon View School in San Dimas, CA

SAN DIMAS, CA- Brian "Big Game" Hunter made a suprise appearance in Mr. Anderson's class in San Dimas, CA.. Brian had an opportunity to share some of his experiences growing up and the obstacles he faced as he climbed the baseball ladder all the way to the Big Leagues. The kids then had about a half hour of Q&A time with him. After his time with the kids, Brian realized that this population of youth are good kids with a lot to offer. "I expected to see barbed wire and high walls when I got here, which is not the case. The facility and campus were very well maintained and looked like a nice enviroment for these kids to learn in. The public needs to understand that the foster system is separate from the juvenille system."

12/1/2008 Phase Training continues to make a difference

SOUTHERN CA- Phase Training is a six week, twice a week program where participants are introduced, instructed, and tested on the fundamentals of athletic regimens required for all sporting endeavors and personal health. Phase Training is primarily based on personal assessment and achievement. In the beginning participants are weighed, measured, and tested on a variety of abilities related to physical agility. Phase training thereafter consists of muscle awareness and development, proper training implementation, personal goal establishment and testing for acknowledged improvement, and the importance of cooperation. Phase Training has been proven to assist these youth with their mental health as well. Phase Training athletes have been ranging in age from 8-16.