Kaiser Permanente is making another investment in South Los Angeles with a new youth-focused community health initiative, “Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Thriving Futures.” This three-year community-led initiative is designed to strengthen mental well-being, physical health, and long-term opportunities for young people across Inglewood and South Los Angeles, building on its decades-long commitment to advancing health equity in the region.
In partnership with the Brotherhood Crusade and other local organizations, the youth program will focus on three core areas:
• Mental well-being and leadership development, including youth development and peer support approaches.
• Physical health and nutrition, through access to healthy food and opportunities for active living.
• Education and career pathways, with an emphasis on exposure to health care and other growth sectors.
The announcement comes as community leaders gather at the Intuit Dome, home to the new Kaiser Permanente Sports Medicine Center—a world-class facility that brings cutting-edge sports medicine expertise to Inglewood. The location is meaningful because Kaiser Permanente is the official team physician for the LA Clippers.
“Kaiser Permanente has served the Inglewood community for decades, long before the recent economic growth and development, and we remain deeply committed to the families who call it home,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, regional president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “As a health care anchor institution, our role goes beyond caring for people when they are sick — it’s about helping communities thrive. By partnering with the LA Clippers and working alongside trusted local organizations, we’re helping connect young people to health, mentorship, and pathways into high-demand careers.”
Inside the Sports Medicine Center, integrated teams of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and specialists provide comprehensive, whole-person care—from injury prevention to advanced diagnostics and evidence-based rehabilitation. The Sports Medicine Center delivers the same elite level of care to Kaiser Permanente members that is provided to professional athletes—such as the LA Clippers—helping members recover confidently and perform at their best.
This investment builds on Kaiser Permanente’s decades-long commitment to advancing health equity in South Los Angeles through grants, community programming, and expanded access to high-quality medical care. This new initiative deepens its impact in the community and builds on its longstanding commitment towards a healthier future.
“This work is about meeting young people where they are and creating pathways that support their well-being and aspirations,” said Charisse Bremond Weaver, president and CEO, Brotherhood Crusade. “By coordinating efforts across trusted partners and leveraging what each of us brings to the table, we can deliver programs that are rooted in the community and built for lasting impact.”
By working with community, based organizations and schools, these year-round programs offer youth and families services that are culturally grounded, accessible, and responsive to local needs.
“Our commitment to the community goes beyond providing medical care,” said Dr. Ramin Davidoff, executive medical director for the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “Kaiser Permanente physicians partner with local schools and organizations as mentors and role models, helping young people imagine futures in medicine, sports science, and health care. That kind of dedication isn’t new — it reflects our 80-year legacy of service. This new initiative builds on that momentum, uplifting more young people to stay healthy, confident, and active for decades to come.”