Kobe Bryant Launches Organization to Benefit Homeless Youth

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant announced the creation of a new nonprofit organization on Tuesday that would help poverty-stricken youth and their families. 

Family Foundation, which will start by focusing on homeless youth in L.A., will also support organizations and programs that focus on permanent housing solutions, like Santa Monica's . 

The Bryants made the announcement at a news conference held at , a drop-in center for homeless kids in Hollywood. According to Heather Carmichael, the executive director of My Friend's Place, there are 10,000 homeless people under age 24 living on the streets of L.A. every year. 

Kobe Bryant said that he was inspired to start the organization after seeing children and families living on the streets on his way to games. 

City News Service contributed to this report.