LAFC FIT: Where Youth Connect, Move, and Thrive
Launched in 2023, LAFC FIT is a four-week program in which the excitement of soccer meets the power of science. Led by teachers, LAFC FIT blends physical activity with science-based lessons that bring health education to life. Via a partnership between LAFC and Science of Sport, this program inspires students across Los Angele to connect, move and thrive.
Since its inception, over 18,000 students have explored how movement, nutrition, hydration, and mindfulness can transform not just their health but their futures. As the program, we’re focused on three principles that continue to shape our vision for youth wellness and education.
#1: Community is a powerful foundation for health
Health isn’t just personal — it’s shaped by the communities around us. When young people connect through sports, they build confidence, connection, and belonging, all of which contribute to better health outcomes.
“At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that health is influenced by more than just medical care — it’s deeply connected to the communities we live in,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in Southern California and Hawaii. “That’s why we invest in programs like LAFC FIT that build healthier communities and empower young people where they live and learn.”
Using soccer as a unifying language, the program creates inclusive spaces where youth feel supported and empowered to take charge of their well-being, building habits and mindsets that extend into their homes and communities.
#2: Movement builds healthy habits for life
Physical activity is more than just a way to stay fit, it’s a gateway to lifelong health. Through the curriculum, students explore how movement, nutrition, and mindfulness support their overall well-being, both in and out of the classroom. LAFC FIT helps students understand how regular movement supports their physical development, boosts energy, and improves focus in the classroom.
Robert E. Sallis, MD, a physician in sports medicine at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center and team physician for LAFC, spoke to teachers about the lifelong value of movement during the recent Teachers Workshop. “When kids learn to enjoy movement early in life, they’re more likely to stay active and healthy as they grow,' he shared. 'In my work with professional athletes and youth alike, I’ve seen how powerful movement can be.'"
By making physical activity fun, engaging, and educational, the program encourages students to build healthy habits, which supports their growth and well-being well into adulthood.
#3: Sports help students grow emotionally and socially
Sports help students build emotional intelligence, resilience, and belonging, all essential to mental wellness and personal growth. That’s why LAFC FIT uses sports to teach life skills.
At the culminating field trip to Exposition Park, Robert J. Fernandez, a regional manager of employee wellness at Kaiser Permanente, led students in a group stretch before they rotated through wellness stations designed to strengthen critical thinking and emotional regulation.
“Seeing the students light up as they answered questions about health and nutrition was incredible,” said Fernandez. “It goes to show that the students connected with the curriculum. And programs like LAFC FIT can make the difference in creating lifelong healthy behavior.”
Looking Ahead
LAFC FIT is more than a program — it’s a long-term investment in youth well-being. These experiences extend beyond the classroom and field, offering a blueprint to help the next generation live healthier, more balanced lives.
Together with our partners, we’re proud to champion a future where every child can connect, move, and thrive.