September 14, 2017
By Kimberlee Buck
Staff Writer
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and MLB All Star Curtis Granderson is known for his skills on the field.
However, off the field, Granderson focuses on supporting youth through the ‘Granderson’s Grand Kids Foundation’.
Since 2007, the foundation has aided positive youth development through education, physical fitness and various nutrition initiatives.
Granderson, nicknamed The Grandy Man, recently, partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and the .99 Cents Only Stores, to host 99 students from Urban Compass and 112th Street S.T.E.A.M Academy Elementary School, for a clinic and healthy eating demonstration in Watts.
The Urban Compass, who received a $10,000 grant from LADF earlier this year, provides afterschool and summer programs as well as other activities, educational tools and initiatives for the Watts community.
Granderson describes his experience as a walk down memory lane.
“It’s awesome getting a chance to come out here and see kids, because I consider myself a big kid,” he said. “So when we are on the playground, one my favorite places that I enjoyed being, getting a chance to be with my friends, my peers, the people in my neighborhood, all out here learning that we can have fun but also be very productive at the same time.”
The 112th Street S.T.E.A.M Academy has vowed to provide educational experiences and achieve excellence through building strong relationships with students, parents, the community, and organizations similar to the LADF.
“It’s always exciting to have superstars come to your school; it doesn’t happen every day though,” said 112th Street S.T.E.A.M Academy Principal Agustin Garcia. “So, to have Curtis here, to have the Dodgers here … it shows the kids that no matter where you’re from, what your school is or who you are, people care.”