The dodgers foundation keeps l.a.
In their 136th season, the Los Angeles Dodgers won their division, the National League West, and have had many dramatic victories. Contrasting with the excitement surrounding these wins are the social crises that have recently plagued the team's home city, including the widespread detainment of immigrants and the Pacific Palisades fires. In times of crises, Dodger Stadium, along with its network of foundations, has been a common place for Los Angeles (LA) residents to feel a sense of belonging. With eight World Series championships and a long-standing rivalry with the San Francisco Giants, the team has fostered the development of a passionate and diverse fanbase that has a community of its own. This has been a key aspect of L.A.’s culture since its establishment in the city in 1958.
On Sept. 8, the Supreme Court lifted restrictions that barred the Trump Administration from having Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles. In response, thousands of LA residents took part in the recent No Kings Protest on Oct. 18, which was one in a series of many other protests across the nation.
Samo students, such as Rian Barenfeld (’26), who attended the protest, recall seeing many Dodgers fans, showing how the sports team plays a key role in unifying the LA community, even in political resistance.
“There were many Dodgers fans at the protest, [and] many people had on the bright blue Dodgers hats and jerseys,” Barenfeld said. “It showed how the team’s fan base reflects the heart of LA. There were even people chanting ‘Go Dodgers.’”
Amid public outrage and resistance to the detainment of immigrants in the city, the Dodgers organization claimed that they denied access to ICE agents who requested entry to the Dodger Stadium parking lots. The organization faced much pressure to take action from their fan base, which is 40% Latino. Along with this, 10 out of 26 players in their 2025 Opening Day roster were born outside the United States. In June, Kike Hernandez, a Puerto Rican outfielder for the Dodgers, spoke out against ICE in an Instagram post, criticizing the agency for ripping apart the city. Additionally, a $1 million donation was made by LADF to groups that aid immigrants who have been negatively impacted by ICE raids in Los Angeles.
Kids 4 Dodgers, another community program run by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), provides free tickets, transportation and meals to youth organizations and schools. The program not only allows underprivileged youth to attend a Dodgers game, but it also connects them to the Dodgers community.
Along with their standings on immigration enforcement, the Dodgers organization and their partner organizations participated in relief efforts for the Pacific Palisades fire. With 11 other sports teams, LADF pledged eight million dollars to several non-profit organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Foundation. The fire destroyed over 6,800 structures and displaced thousands of people in the area in January. An online auction with items from star players was held after the fires, with all proceeds going to non-profits that served communities displaced by the wildfires. These relief efforts included distributing essentials, reconstructing youth baseball fields and supporting community recovery funds. One major community program created by LADF, Dodgers Dreamfields, has the purpose of giving low-income families safe places to play baseball and softball. The foundation rebuilt Loma Alta Park in Altadena, making the two Dodgers Dreamfields the first parks to reopen in the area after the detrimental aftermath of the fires.
Amidst its myriad of civic aid efforts, LADF reminds the LA community that sports are more than just entertainment. Going beyond competition and championship trophies, athletics have the rare and powerful ability to bring people together and support those in need.