Dodgers Launch 2025 LA Reads with Catching Hope Foundation, Introduce World Series Legacy Project

By Mary John

The Los Angeles Dodgers are more than just a Major League Baseball powerhouse—they are a civic force deeply embedded in the heart of Southern California. On a bright spring morning in South Los Angeles, the team once again proved that their mission extends far beyond the diamond. Together with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Will and Cara Smith’s Catching Hope Foundation, the Dodgers officially kicked off the 2025 LA Reads program with a special event at Manhattan Place Elementary School.

In an assembly packed with energy, laughter, and the unmistakable sounds of students turning pages, Dodgers players, alumni, and community leaders gathered to promote literacy, unveil this year’s Dodgers Reading Champions challenge, and introduce the second of three World Series Legacy Projects born from the team’s 2020 championship season. The moment was both celebratory and deeply meaningful, reflecting the organization’s commitment to education, opportunity, and community development.

A Legacy That Starts with Literacy

Now in its ninth year, the LA Reads initiative is designed to address the literacy gap that disproportionately affects underserved communities across Los Angeles County. LA Reads encourages kids to read at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, with support from teachers, families, and community partners.

“Our goal is to instill a lifelong love of reading,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and we believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed. Programs like LA Reads don’t just empower young students—they change lives.”

Manhattan Place Elementary was chosen as the kickoff site not only for its proximity to the Dodgers’ community outreach hub but also because of its demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. Teachers and administrators have worked closely with LADF over the past year to develop enrichment programs that align with district-wide literacy goals. The energy on campus during the event was palpable, with students waving foam fingers, donning Dodgers caps, and chanting team slogans between reading sessions.

Among the guest readers were Dodgers players, including catcher Will Smith and his wife Cara, whose Catching Hope Foundation was a co-sponsor of the day’s activities. Smith read a passage from Jackie Robinson: American Hero, a fitting tribute to both baseball history and the Dodgers’ legacy of breaking barriers.

“It means the world to be here with these kids,” Smith said. “We want to show them that reading is cool, that it opens doors. Growing up, books were a big part of my life, and I want to help give that same gift to others.”

The Dodgers Reading Champions Challenge Returns

One of the centerpiece announcements of the day was the return of the Dodgers Reading Champions challenge, an incentive-based program that tracks and rewards students’ reading milestones. Participating schools across LA County will encourage students to log their reading minutes, with top readers earning prizes like Dodgers tickets, team merchandise, and the opportunity to be recognized on the field at Dodger Stadium during a home game.

“The idea is simple: the more you read, the more you win,” said Erika Ayers, LADF’s Senior Manager of Youth Programs. “But more than that, it’s about cultivating a positive habit and helping students see themselves as readers. Whether it’s fiction, graphic novels, or biographies—every minute counts.”

This year, LADF is also partnering with the Los Angeles Public Library and local bookstore collectives to ensure that students have access to free or low-cost reading materials. Digital platforms like Beanstack will help track progress and provide teachers with resources to integrate the challenge into classroom learning.

Over 30,000 students participated in last year’s Reading Champions challenge, logging more than 8 million minutes of reading. With momentum and community support building, the 2025 goal is to engage 50,000 students and surpass 10 million minutes—an ambitious target that reflects the growing reach of the program.

Catching Hope Foundation: More Than Just Baseball

Will and Cara Smith’s Catching Hope Foundation was launched in 2023 with a mission to uplift children and families through education, healthcare access, and youth sports initiatives. Partnering with LADF for the LA Reads event was a natural fit, especially given the Smiths’ shared passion for literacy and early childhood development.

“Books have been a huge part of our lives, and we’ve seen firsthand the impact that even one positive experience with reading can have on a child,” Cara Smith said. “This partnership with the Dodgers is about planting seeds. We may not see the results immediately, but we know they’ll grow.”

Catching Hope has recently expanded its programming to include mobile book giveaways, school library restorations, and reading mentorship pairings between student-athletes and younger children. At the LA Reads event, the foundation donated over 500 books to Manhattan Place Elementary’s library and committed to refurbishing its reading nook with new seating, shelving, and digital tools.

“It’s about equity,” Whiteman added. “Access to books and learning tools shouldn’t depend on your zip code. That’s why these partnerships are so powerful—they allow us to extend our reach and bring lasting change to our schools.”

A Championship Legacy Beyond the Field

Another major highlight of the day was the unveiling of the second World Series Legacy Project from the Dodgers’ 2020 championship season. These projects are part of LADF’s commitment to reinvest in underserved communities as a way to honor the team’s triumph and ensure that success is shared beyond the stadium gates.

The first project, completed in 2023, involved the renovation of a baseball field in East LA. The second, announced at Manhattan Place Elementary, will transform an unused lot behind the school into a vibrant outdoor learning and reading garden. The space will include murals painted by local artists, benches and picnic tables, solar-powered reading lights, and a small amphitheater for storytime and school events.

“This is a space for imagination,” said Dodgers alumnus Andre Ethier, who joined the festivities and spoke to students about his own educational journey. “We’re building more than a garden—we’re building a place where stories come to life.”

Construction is expected to begin in late spring and finish by the start of the new school year. LADF is also working with landscape architects and environmental sustainability experts to ensure that the space is not only beautiful but eco-friendly, using drought-resistant plants and recycled materials.

Community Engagement in Action

Beyond the students and teachers, the LA Reads kickoff drew an impressive crowd of community leaders, parents, media members, and elected officials. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, whose district includes the school, praised the Dodgers for their deep and sustained involvement in local neighborhoods.

“This is not a one-off photo op,” he said. “The Dodgers show up for us year after year, and they do the hard work of listening, investing, and following through. That’s what community partnership looks like.”

Parents were equally enthusiastic. “My daughter came home talking about Jackie Robinson and how she wants to read every book about him,” said Tasha Robinson, mother of a third-grader at Manhattan Place. “That kind of inspiration is priceless. I’m so grateful for what the Dodgers are doing.”

The team’s mascot, “Brooklyn,” added a dose of fun to the event, dancing with kids and posing for pictures, while volunteers handed out bookmarks, snacks, and activity kits designed to reinforce reading habits at home.

Looking Ahead

With the 2025 LA Reads program now underway, the Dodgers and their partners are already planning additional school visits, pop-up literacy events, and summer reading camps. LADF will also release a digital toolkit for parents and educators to help maintain reading momentum over school breaks.

“The long-term vision is for every child in LA to have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond,” said Whiteman. “We may be known for baseball, but at the end of the day, we’re here to build futures.”

As the event came to a close, one young student—still holding his signed Dodgers bookmark—summed up the spirit of the day. “I used to think reading was boring,” he said with a grin. “But now I think it’s awesome. And I’m going to read every day.”

That’s the power of a team—on and off the field.

SIDEBAR: About LA Reads

LA Reads is the signature literacy initiative of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. Since its launch in 2016, the program has reached over 150,000 students and distributed more than 250,000 books. The program includes:

• Reading Champions Challenge: Incentive-based reading competition for students K–8.
• Library Makeovers: Renovations and book donations to underserved schools.
• Author Visits: Bringing diverse authors to classrooms across LA.
• Dodger Day at the Library: Team-supported community reading days at LA Public Library branches.