BREAKING: Penn State Nittany Lions Football Head Coach James Franklin has launched the Hope Rising Foundation to make a powerful impact in the lives of children with disabilities. The initiative will offer free healthcare, essential support, and unwavering care to kids across Pennsylvania State. Truly a heartwarming act from a real-life hero
**BREAKING: Penn State Head Coach James Franklin Launches Hope Rising Foundation to Support Children with Disabilities**
*State College, PA — June 21, 2025*
In a powerful act of compassion and leadership beyond the football field, James Franklin, the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, has announced the launch of the *Hope Rising Foundation* — a bold new initiative aimed at transforming the lives of children with disabilities across the state of Pennsylvania.
The foundation, revealed in an emotional press conference earlier today, will provide *free healthcare, vital resources, and unwavering support* to children living with a range of physical and developmental disabilities. Coach Franklin described the project as “a deeply personal mission,” driven by years of community engagement and a desire to give back to families facing extraordinary challenges.
> “This is about more than football,” Franklin said. “It’s about standing up for the kids who need us most, and making sure they never feel left behind.”
### A Vision Rooted in Empathy
Franklin, known for his energy on the sidelines and commitment to molding young athletes into future leaders, is now extending that same passion to an even younger, more vulnerable group. The *Hope Rising Foundation* will partner with pediatric hospitals, therapy centers, and local caregivers to provide comprehensive care programs — entirely free of charge.
From specialized medical treatments and physical therapy to mental health services and adaptive technologies, the foundation seeks to create an infrastructure of hope for children and their families.
### Statewide Impact
The initiative will initially focus on underserved communities in Pennsylvania, particularly rural areas where access to pediatric disability support is limited. Mobile medical units and pop-up clinics are planned as part of the rollout, with hopes to serve thousands of families annually.
Local leaders have already voiced strong support. “Coach Franklin has always been a role model, but this takes his legacy to another level,” said Pennsylvania Governor Jennifer Clark. “His leadership off the field is a shining example of what true service looks like.”
### A Legacy Bigger Than Football
While Franklin’s accomplishments at Penn State — including multiple bowl game appearances and a Big Ten Championship — have solidified his status as a collegiate coaching icon, the *Hope Rising Foundation* marks a new chapter in his journey: one centered not on wins and losses, but on love, dignity, and healing.
Players from the Nittany Lions have expressed pride in their coach’s mission, with many pledging to volunteer for the foundation’s outreach programs.
> “He teaches us to be great men, not just great players,” said senior linebacker Malik Williams. “Hope Rising is exactly the kind of thing he lives and breathes every day.”
### Looking Ahead
With its official launch set for Fall 2025, the *Hope Rising Foundation* is expected to begin operations in select counties by November, just as the Nittany Lions charge into the heart of their season. Fundraising efforts and community involvement opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.
In a time when sports often dominate headlines for the wrong reasons, James Franklin’s announcement offers a moving reminder of what true leadership looks like — not just in locker rooms, but in lives changed forever by kindness, empathy, and action.
**For more information or to support the Hope Rising Foundation, visit** [hoperisingfoundation.org](http://hoperising
foundation.org) *(URL placeholder)*.
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