Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has impressed on the field, but it might be his work off the field that is even more impressive.
His AO1 foundation (Audience of One) announced Tuesday that it has granted funds to Mission of Hope, Haiti (MOH) to help launch a sports initiative to develop youth, reinforce education, and invest in the next generation of Haiti’s leaders.
“I believe in Mission of Hope’s initiative completely,” Wentz said in a statement. “I feel that this sports complex will be an incredible way for the youth of Haiti to have more opportunities to enjoy sporting competition, to further their education, to have access to healthy meals, and to enjoy being around a Christian community to help further their faith.”
Wentz went on a trip to Haiti during the offseason and came back inspired to do more and give back to the people he encountered.
“You can see pictures. You can see videos of this place, but until you’re there that’s when it really hits you. That’s exactly what it did for me being there, seeing the gravel roads and all these kids, barely any of them have shoes. They’re just running around. They didn’t care. They’re kicking plastic bottles because they don’t have a soccer ball,” Wentz said to the Eagles’ official website. “Their clothes didn’t fit, kids’ pants are falling down. They’re trying to hold it up, but they’re still playing soccer, laughing, having a blast. It’s just a different environment for sure that I don’t think anyone should be living this way, but the happiness was there too.”
Through the sports programs and facilities, children will have access to educational tutoring, be provided meals and vitamins to support nutrition, and have a safe place with power and internet to study when they are not in the classroom.
“We are excited to partner with Carson Wentz and the AO1 Foundation to bring life-transformation to children, teenagers and young adults in Haiti,” Mission of Hope President Brad Johnson said in a statement. “The sport complex programs will not only provide athletic training and character development of students, but will also further advance our education and nutrition efforts throughout the country.”
The MOH sports and education programs are geared to assist children and young adults between the ages of 4-21. The sports and education complex is currently under Phase I construction and will host youth sports leagues specifically focusing on character development, education, discipline and servant-leadership, while also serving the nearby schools to build athletics as a critical part of youth development.
About Mission of Hope, Haiti (MOH): MOH exists to bring life transformation to every man, woman and child in Haiti. They are currently feeding over 91,000 children daily, impacting over 9,000 students through education, training over 1,700 farmers, and providing medical care to over 30,000 patients. For more information, please visit www.mohhaiti.org.
About Carson Wentz AO1 Foundation: The AO1 Foundation is a fiscally-sponsored project at The Giving Back Fund Inc., a not-for-profit corporation with federal tax-exempt status from the IRS under section 501(c)(3). The AO1 Foundation’s mission is “to demonstrate the love of God by providing opportunities and support for the less fortunate and those in need.” Similar to Carson’s life motto and the tattoo on the underside of his right wrist, Carson’s foundation stands for “Audience of One.” No matter what he does in life, Carson is living for an Audience of One — Jesus. For more information, please visit www.ao1foundation.org.
About The Giving Back Fund: The Giving Back Fund (GBF) is a national public charity that creates and professionally manages charitable foundations and other philanthropic programs for athletes, entertainers, business entrepreneurs, and corporations. To date, The Giving Back Fund has provided philanthropic consulting, management and programming to more than 200 athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and other high net worth individuals. For additional information, please visit www.givingback.org.
