Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar Dedication and Opening Day

Los Angeles, CA (August 20, 2023) - On Tuesday August 22, 2023 at 9:30 am, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services is proud and grateful to celebrate the boundless spirit of Tommy Mark’s legacy as they formally open Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar.

Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Council member Katy Yaroslavsky will be amongst Vista’s special guests rendering remarks.

Located in the center of Vista’s 18-acre verdant campus in West Los Angeles, the brand new, full size, multipurpose sports field with lights is a gift through Vista’s Premiere Philanthropy program from Nikki and Doug Mark, Tommy’s parents and founders of the TM23 Foundation.

Tommy Mark, who unexpectedly passed away at 12 years old in 2018, was passionate about all sports, especially soccer. The Foundation’s mission is to create flourishing open air spaces and programming that embrace diversity, equality and inclusivity, inspire children to play, to pursue their dreams and to positively impact the community. These goals perfectly align with Vista’s steadfast values and mission.This is the second Tommy’s Field that that the Mark family’s Foundation has gifted the City of Los Angeles.

Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar will be a joyful and therapeutic programs-focused space uniting Vista’s children of all circumstances and abilities, support staff, teachers, mentors, volunteers, and leadership. As important, Tommy’s Field at Vista is designed to be shared with the compassionate community of local partners and organizations focused on nourishing and serving L.A. children and families in need, as Vista has done for over 100 years, providing help, hope, home and healing.

The opening day’s events will include youth sports activities created for Vista’s residents, care community and leadership under the guidance of CEO and President, Lena Wilson. Also participating: Premiere Philanthropy founder, CDO and CMO, Craig Prizant, LAB (Leadership AdvisoryBoard) members, Vista teachers, support teams, volunteers, major donors and community partners including LA Galaxy and LA Breakers F.C..

Mayor Karen Bass, Katy Yaroslavsky, Elaine P. Wynn &Family Foundation and The Steve Tisch Foundation and LA Galaxy, as well as other donors to Tommy’s Field project will reflect on the import and impact of this brand new field of dreams.

Vista Board Chair, Jill Friedman notes: “Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar will be the heartbeat of our campus and culture, inspiring each and all of us to Play it Forward on the field and off, thereby building a better, stronger, more just community and world together, united by the transformative Power of Play.”

CEO and President Lena Wilson agreed, “We are energized by the boundless potential to collaborate with others, thereby bolstering new opportunities for our care community and our neighbors who together may thrive and reach their highest potential. On Tommy’s Field at Vista Del Mar and beyond, our unity is our strength”.

Nikki and Doug Mark add, “We are honored to share Tommy’s spirit of play with Vista and to brighten our city one Tommy’s Field at a time.”

Special Guest remarks begin at 9:30 am and include those from:

• Vista CEO and President, Lena Wilson
• Nikki and Doug Mark, parents of Tommy Mark
• Mayor Karen Bass
• L.A. City Council member, Katy Yaroslavsky
• LA Galaxy, SVP Soccer & Business Operations and Business Development, Tom Braun Following brief speeches, Vista’s children of all abilities will enjoy Sports Day events provided by the LA Galaxy and L.A. Breakers F.C..

Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, a Four-Star Charity Navigator rated organization, has cared for Los Angeles' most vulnerable children for over 100 years, providing a range of exceptional programs in education, mental health, autism, adoption, residential care, prevention and early intervention. Vista's programs are for children with social, emotional and behavioral challenges, wrapping love and support around the entire family. Vista Del Mar is a national role model in providing these specialized services and therapeutic treatments for children, and is one of Los Angeles' most prominent resources for children on the Autism spectrum. Vistadelmar.org