Under Armour Supports Living Classrooms

Under Armour and Living Classrooms Foundation announced a significant, long-term investment in a recreation and community center in East Baltimore, adjacent to the Pleasant View Gardens community. The facility will be funded primarily by a $5 million contribution from the private foundation of Kevin Plank, Founder and CEO of Under Armour.

The facility will be located at 1100 East Fayette Street, in the space formerly known as the Carmelo Anthony Center. The multi-faceted partnership between Under Armour and Living Classrooms includes a renovation of the physical infrastructure as well as a redesigned service model that will include expanded partnerships to provide the best services possible to residents, with a particular focus on youth.

“We have been active in our community for many years, working with schools, families, hospitals and first responders,” said Kevin Plank, Founder and CEO of Under Armour.  “Now, more than ever, we need to double down on that commitment. Baltimore is our home, and we will always show up and do our part. We are going to build an incredible facility with the best programs and partners, and we will bring people from across the city together to create real and sustainable opportunities for kids and families.”

Living Classrooms, a leader in community services in Baltimore for 30 years, will operate the revitalized facility and oversee the programming offered. Programs offered will be responsive to community needs and will include partners in the following cornerstone areas: Education; Character and Leadership; Health, Wellness, & Fitness; Community Engagement & Service; and Entrepreneurship & Workforce Development.

“In response to needs articulated by the community, our teams began working together last January to create a truly unique location where the community can come together to learn, work, and play,” said James Piper Bond, CEO and President of Living Classrooms. “We are thrilled to continue our work with Kevin Plank and Under Armour teammates to build a place that will not only inspire curiosity, but will also become the heartbeat of the East Baltimore Target Investment Zone community as we continue to work towards disrupting the cycle of poverty. We are grateful to Kevin for his personal financial commitment to this project.”