SAN DIEGO – The Chargers are helping to open the 22nd Courage House in conjunction with the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation.
The house, located in San Marcos, is a new Casa Kids Campus, run through an organization called Casa de Amparo that treats and prevents child abuse and neglect.
Both Casa de Amparo and the Ed Block Foundation began in 1978. The latter also focuses on raising awareness and preventing child abuse. In addition to its annual Baltimore awards banquet honoring a player from each NFL team, the foundation, named after former Baltimore Colts trainer Ed Block, is trying to establish a Courage House in every NFL city.
James Collins, the Chargers’ head athletic trainer since 1999, will speak at the June 8 opening ceremony. Collins has led the organization’s efforts to establish its own Courage House, and the Chargers Community Foundation and training staff plan to have an ongoing relationship with Casa de Amparo.
The new campus comes after 34 years at the original location and will include open space, high-tech classrooms, and on-campus gardens.
Casa de Amparo programs and services include a children’s shelter, a network for young parents, a child development center, assistance for 18-to-24-year-olds who came from the foster care system, counseling support, secure family visitation and more.
