Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, California
Fast Feet Running and Athletics, Inc., Brooklyn, NY
Waterloo School, Linden, California
[Linden, CA, October 23, 2024] Aaron Judge, New York Yankee and former Fresno State Bulldog, and founder of the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation is proud to announce the October 2024 ALL RISE Mini-Grant recipients, each receiving $2,500. These three organizations align with the ALL RISE mission to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens and reach unlimited possibilities.
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, California, After-School at the Zoo program is designed to boost self-confidence, inspire curiosity about nature and wildlife, encourage healthy eating and physical movement, and provide a safe environment where young people can freely engage with their immediate surroundings. The ALL RISE Mini-Grant will support the purchase of supplies for activities, not limited to painting, drawing, and craft-making, as well as help cover the costs to feed program participants a wholesome meal. The meal fortifies the children in their activities and addresses the problem of food insecurity that can occur in families who experience economic instability while living in temporary housing.
Fast Feet Running and Athletics, Inc., Brooklyn, New York recognizes the severe need for adaptive exercise and health equity programs for children and young adults with disabilities. The mission of their program Fast Feet is to make athletics, nutrition and social skills development accessible and inclusive to all people. Fast Feet centers on adaptive running programs. Supported by a team of coaches, each athlete learns the fundamentals of track-and-field, as well as how to be a supportive team player and community member. The ALL RISE Mini-Grant will help give Bronx students with disabilities the opportunity to train, work out and race. To ensure each individual child’s needs are properly supported, athletes will be paired with volunteers who provide training assistance and positive encouragement.
Waterloo School, Linden, California has created the #Waterloo Awesome Community project that encourages students to be important partners in their school community through student leadership and student voice. Feeling the desire to expand their learning, not just in the classroom but through the outdoor environment, students voiced their idea to create an outside space. This area will contribute to positive pupil engagement, improve social, emotional and communication skills, provide an area for outdoor reading, as well as boost confidence. The ALL RISE Mini-Grant will allow them to create a learning environment with a greater number of plants, greener views, and access to natural play areas, which have proven to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and anxiety.
“Our three recipients are aligned with the mission and the Comprehensive Components of ALL RISE. We continue to support these organizations and their creativity, as they develop mentors and leaders, as well as focus on education, health, and well-being,” said Aaron Judge. “I am proud to support each of them as they are committed to engaging with our youth through continued education, support programs and mentorships that will have lifelong, memorable benefits.”
All funds donated for the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Mini-Grant programs go directly to children and youth programs in San Joaquin County, California; Fresno County, California; and Bronx County, New York, that support ongoing citizenship and education development.