City Administration
4305 Santa Fe Avenue, Vernon, CA, 90058
CityofVernon.org
Sports Access Community Alliance Guidelines
Access to youth sports is essential to communities, as involvement in athletics programs emphasizes the fundamentals of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance – all valuable principles for our youth. Additionally, sports activities reinforce healthy habits, encouraging mobility and routine exercise. Through its Sports Access Community Alliance (SACA), the City of Vernon will strive to ensure that cost or financial burden is not a barrier that impedes participation in sports. All youth should have access to sports activities and should have the ability to reap the mental and physical benefits that result.
Families and communities who lack sufficient resources to bear the costs for youth sports registration fees, equipment, uniforms, and other associated necessities may benefit from SACA which assists non-profit service providers such as youth centers and sports organizations by offering sponsorships that channel funding directly to participating families.
Vernon’s SACA is focused on youth athletes in the local and Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) area.
The SACA-eligible area is defined as the cities of Vernon, Huntington Park, Maywood, Bell, and Los Angeles County areas of Walnut Park, Boyle Heights, and East Los Angeles. Youth participants at organizations located in and/or serving the specific cities and areas noted above will be eligible to receive a Vernon sponsorship when enrolling for a sports activity with a SACA partner organization.
The SACA Mission
SACA aims to cover costs associated with sports participation to enable fair and equitable access to a wide variety of athletic activities for youth in the local and Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) areas, establishing healthy habits and creating unique opportunities for personal growth and development.
SACA Program Parameters
The City of Vernon has allocated a select amount of funding for sports programming sponsorships. As such, the City intends to utilize the funding to support local area 501c3 designated non-profit organizations that offer sports and recreation services to children and adolescents. By creating an alliance with community organizations, the City will have a mechanism to financially assist a broader population of youth athletes and their families.
With SACA parameters in mind, the City is interested in collaborations with reputable organizations with well-developed sports programs that have a vested interest in supporting local Vernon area/SELA communities’ mental and physical health, development, and wellbeing. Organizations that seek to partner with the City to facilitate sponsorships for program participants shall execute a Letter of Agreement with the City that details SACA funding terms and conditions.
Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis to partner organizations until the City’s SACA Sports Access Community Alliance Guidelines
fund allocation for the relevant fiscal year is depleted.
Alliance Eligibility Criteria
The following are necessary for Vernon SACA partners:
• Must support the City’s vision to enhance recreational opportunities and access for youth (ages 17 and under)
• Program opportunities and/or organization’s facilities must be open and accessible to the public
• Programs must primarily benefit local area and SELA communities and residents o Sports sponsorships will be available for participants that access sports/recreation programs through organizations located in and/or serving the cities of Vernon, Huntington Park, Maywood, Bell, and Los Angeles County areas of Walnut Park, Boyle Heights, and East Los Angeles
• Must carry 501c3 non-profit designation
• Must carry appropriate insurance and licenses as necessary (to be determined by City) • Must execute a Letter Agreement with the City
• Agree to funding on a reimbursement basis and understand that fund disbursement/reimbursement is predicated upon timely and thorough submittal of proper documentation
o Must submit a current W-9 to City to receive disbursements o SACA partner reimbursement requests/invoices must consist of an itemized invoice that details the sports program, and each participant’s equipment and uniform quantities and costs
• Organization will not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, or any condition related thereto, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation. Further, the organization must agree to conform to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Fund Allocation
Available funds will be distributed equally among all SACA partner organizations. Funding for the City’s SACA Program will be determined by the Vernon City Council each fiscal year. There is no guarantee that SACA partner organizations will receive funding beyond the year in which a Letter Agreement has been fully executed.
Program Promotion
Organizations shall agree to promoting the availability of City of Vernon funds to cover participant expenses related to sports programming. SACA partners should advertise to the community (via announcements, flyers, social media platforms, websites, etc.) to ensure that all families are aware that there is an opportunity to participate in sports programs without bearing any financial burden.
Recognition
In instances where the City of Vernon has funded certain uniforms or equipment, the City requests that the SACA partner organization recognize the City for its contribution by displaying a City logo or some other kind of visual recognition when feasible. The City will provide the organization with official images, logos, and color schemes as necessary and appropriate.