#GoingToBat Community Spotlight: Justin Turner

Justin Turner’s inaugural tournament at Brookside Golf Club to benefit the Los Angeles Dream Center drew support from teammates Austin Barnes, Yasmani Grandal, Kiké Hernandez, Adam Liberatore and Joc Pederson along with former professional boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya.

“Being a public figure, athlete and role model it’s important to use that platform to give back,” Turner said following the Feb. 1 tournament. “This event is even more special to me because I grew up in Long Beach. Now playing for the Dodgers, it really hits home. To give back to my community and be able to touch the lives of people in need is really special”.

The tournament raised $60,000 that will help fund a home opened two months ago by the Los Angeles Dream Center for veterans who are struggling to find jobs and affordable housing. The Dream center also provides the veterans with job counseling and support to re-acclimate when they return from duty.

Turner’s girlfriend, Kourtney, introduced him to Dream Center after assisting at one of its events with the wives of other Dodgers players.  The Dream Center mission is “To reconnect isolated people to God and a community of support by providing human services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, education, and human trafficking.”

Turner’s other charitable work with the Los Angeles Dream Center over the past three years has included visiting local hospitals, participating in a Christmas toy drive and hosting guests at Dodger Stadium.

Turner has already locked in a title sponsor and tentative date for 2017.

“We’re already in the process of planning for next year,” Turner said. “Given that this year’s event was put together in two months, I’m sure next year will be an even bigger success.”

Just as Turner is #GoingToBat for the Dream Center, Major Leaguers are committed to supporting causes close to their own hearts.  To learn more about the charitable interests and activities of Major Leaguers, please click here.

More info on the Dream Center
Founded in 1994, The Dream Center is a volunteer-driven organization that finds and fills the needs of over 80,000 individuals and families each month.

We do this through mobile hunger relief and medical programs, residential rehabilitation programs adults, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, transitional housing for homeless families, foster care intervention programs, job skills training, life skills, counseling, basic education, Bible studies and more. We work to meet people where they are at, to bring them hope and a way off the streets.

We’re also equipping others to serve. The Dream Center’s record of success has attracted urban missionaries and Christian leaders from across the U.S. and the world. As they volunteer with us, they gain insight and skills that they can take back to their own communities.

In this way, more than 100 independent Dream Centers have been launched nationally, as well as internationally. Many more churches and ministries have become more effective as we teach those who give their time and talent to do what we do. Many who once needed our services also go on to help others.