Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Attempt to End Homelessness in L.A.

By Simone Hilliard

Regardless of your love/hate relationship with Kobe Bryant, the all-star athlete has always given back to the community through organizations like the Make a Wish Foundation, St. Jude´s Children’s Hospital and Boys & Girls Club of America.

This week Bryant and his wife Vanessa flexed their philanthropic powers even further by announcing the launch of their new charity initiative, the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation.

The Bryants held a press conference at My Friend's Place, a Hollywood haven for homeless youth, to announce their intention to eradicate youth homelessness in Los Angeles. The couple candidly admitted that they are new to the issue of youth homelessness, but the Lakers' star revealed that as a father of two, the issue resonated with him.

Bryant said at the conference:

"We're still educating ourselves and will continue to do so. The important thing for us is that we're going to attack this."

In a printed statement, Kobe further elaborated that he began noticing the issue at his home away from home, the Staples Center.

"On my way to games, I noticed children and families living on the streets blocks away from where I play."

KVBFF plans on partnering with existing organizations like My Friend's Place in order to raise funds, create permanent housing and provide educational and career resources to those in need.

Kobe joked:

"We want to help [homeless youth] kick butt!"

Currently, My Friend's Place offers emergency services to about 1,600 a year. Hopefully, KVBFF can increase services offered and help curtail L.A.'s growing homelessness issue.

What will you do to assist KBVFF? Let us know in the comments, or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Simone Hilliard, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, Kobe Bryant, My Friend's Place, Vanessa Bryant