Give to the Home Field Advantage Project

A Home Field Advantage

We believe the greatest need in any child’s life is positive, consistent relationships. While relationships can happen anywhere, we know that a “home” provides consistency, safety, and the ability to be known in a unique and powerful way.

We’re seeking to build a permanent home for our RBI Austin community. A place for youth development collaborations across health, education, and faith sectors. A place that will allow increased program and fundraising capacity. A place where youth will be developed and go on to lead the transformation of their communities.

Will you join us in giving our RBI Austin kids — who face many opportunity disparities in sports, education, health, and consistent relationships — a home field advantage?

The Need

Since 2011, the disparity in team sports participation between kids from low-income and middle class homes has grown drastically. Children from low-income homes are now half as likely to play a team sport as children from $100K income homes.

During that same timeframe, RBI Austin – consisting of 90% low-income households – has grown from 15 kids in 2009 to 1,577 kids being a part of a team in 2022.

Children from low-income homes are:

Half as likely to play a team sport

More than 3x as likely to be physically inactive

1/3 less likely to attend church

In Travis County, Black and Hispanic children are 5 to 7 times more likely to live in poverty than White or Asian children.

90% of RBI Austin kids are considered economically disadvantaged. 90% 90%
74% of RBI Austin kids are Black or Latino. 74% 74%
37% of RBI Austin kids are female. 37% 37%
43% of youth in the project area live below the poverty line. This is more than 3 times the rate in Austin MSA (14%). 43% 43%
The Median Family Income in the project area is $34,255. This is less than half the Median Family Income in Austin MSA. 49% 49%

Impact

By being physically active, RBI Austin kids:

%

Are 90% less likely to be obese

%

Achieve up to 40% higher test scores

%

Are 15% more likely to go to college

Have lower rates of smoking, drug use, and pregnancy.

Have reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

By participating in RBI Austin, kids and families are:

Engaged in a Christian community of support of individuals, families, and churches.

Developed spiritually through Christian-based programs.

Challenges to overcome

Currently, RBI Austin operates primarily out of school and City ball fields, limiting programs to certain days, times, and weather conditions.

No year-round home for RBI Austin
Mentoring is the mission, but no consistent place for RBI Austin players and coaches to gather
No place for RBI Austin players to train after dark or during bad weather

Solution

Through a remarkable chain of events and partnership with a local church, RBI Austin has acquired 33 acres of land off Loyola Lane in the heart of East Austin. Through this work of God, RBI Austin now has the location to build a permanent home to include: