GRAND FORKS, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey team members and 2018 Olympic gold medalists, today announced the launch of a new foundation that benefits underserved children and communities, as well as other causes that align with the values of the Lamoureux twins, primarily in the state of North Dakota. The Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation will work with local organizations throughout the region that support disadvantaged children through education and extracurricular activities.
In North Dakota, 30% of children live in low-income families and nearly one third of the state’s students are eligible for participation in the National School Lunch Program. North Dakota is also ranked 36th among all states for children living away from their parents and in foster care.
“Growing up, our mother always told us to cheer for the one behind. That lesson went beyond sports and became the core of a set of values we carry with us today,” said the Lamoureux twins. “Our new Foundation will be making grants locally to level the playing field for kids from disadvantaged communities, mostly in the education space. We’re going to fight and advocate for these kids – we’re going to cheer for them – because they are being left behind. And we’re confident that this work will make a difference in our North Dakota community.”
The new Foundation will build upon the ways the Lamoureux twins are already giving back to communities. The Olympians run an annual hockey development camp in the region for girls. In addition, last year, the twins announced a multi-year partnership with Comcast to serve as ambassadors and spokespeople for the company’s corporate values initiatives, a commitment to a series of efforts that includes: volunteerism and community service programs like Comcast Cares Day; improved internet access and digital literacy training for low-income Americans through Internet Essentials; education and mentorship for young people; and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, including gender equity.
About The Lamoureux Twins
The Lamoureux twins were instrumental in helping Team USA defeat Canada for the gold medal in the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea – the United States’ first gold in ice hockey in 20 years – and are six-time world champions with two previous silver medals at the 2014 and 2010 Olympics. They are also passionate advocates for gender equity – in pay and in overall opportunity. Starting in 2014, the Lamoureux twins were leaders in the U.S. national team’s fight for fair and equal treatment by USA Hockey, including more equitable support as compared to the men’s hockey team and more funding for girl’s youth hockey programs. In March 2017, two days before the 2017 World Championships were scheduled to start in the United States, the women’s hockey team and USA Hockey were able to reach a historic agreement.
About The Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation
The Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation has been created to support kids in need through funding of educational and extracurricular programs and other causes that align with the core values of the Lamoureux twins, primarily in North Dakota. The IRS has recognized the Foundation as exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
