PARLIER CA, February 28, 2011 – The Sports for the World's Children Foundation (SWC) provided much needed girls' softball equipment to the recently established Parlier Predator Softball Program under the Youth Centers of America (YCA), a nonprofit based in Parlier CA. The YCA provides family support services to children, youth, and adults, including leadership development, arts & recreation sports programming, social service navigation, and prevention/intervention programs that serve metro Fresno and rural Fresno County communities. Also provided are programs that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the County's underserved communities.

The Parlier Predator Softball Program serves females from low income families, mostly Hispanic, ages 6-16, in six Fresno and Fresno County communities. According to Eduardo Gonzalez, Executive Director of the YCA, "Because the low income status of the majority of the participating families, our current participating fees are set at $20... per player," covering only the required participating league fee. The YCA anticipates reaching 125 participants in its inaugural year of 2011, and the grand opening will take place on Saturday, March 5.

The equipment provided by SWC included catcher equipment (helmets, chest protectors, leg guards), batting helmets, softballs, gloves/mitts, bases, batting tees, and equipment bags. Carlos Herrera, a parent/volunteer of the Predator Program, commented, "... all the girls will be so happy and with SWC Foundation's help, we will have a great first year as our season starts in March."

Since its inception in 1997, SWC has collected and delivered nearly 26 tons of sports equipment to more than 16,000 children in Mexico, Nicaragua, Uganda, and the United States. SWC’s “Communities Play” Program has received past support from Alaska Airlines, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association’s Baseball Tomorrow Fund, and the Kristi Yamaguchi Always Dream Foundation.

The Sports for the World’s Children Foundation is California 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation based in San Francisco. SWC’s mission is to help facilitate the creation of ongoing, self-sustaining, quality sports programs for children with limited or no resources. Sports equipment and monetary donations are accepted year round. Interested individuals can contact SWC for more information about the “Communities Play” sports equipment distribution/volunteer program to Mexico, and/or to order a DVD about their programs at swc@swcfoundation.org, (415) 566-3487. SWC is also on the Web at www.swcfoundation.org.