Holly Robinson Peete attends the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2023 Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium on June 22, 2023.Photo:Jerritt Clark/WireImage
Jerritt Clark/WireImage
Holly Robinson Peeteis beyond grateful for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the incredible love they have shown her son who was diagnosed with autism as a child.
The actress and husbandRodney Peetehosted the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala on Thursday and spoke with PEOPLE about their sonRodney Peete Jr., 25, working for the team.
“The fact that they employed my son, they hired inclusively, a young man with autism that they gave a chance and he’s been here eight years. It’s been a godsend,” Peete, 58, exclusively told PEOPLE. “So I love this team with my whole heart.”
The proud mom of four continued, “He didn’t have friends growing up. He has just a whole family around him, outside of hisimmediate family who supports him. And he’s like an ambassador here, you know, like he’s Mr. Roarke of Dodger Stadium.”
“RJ,” as he is called, even privately escorted his mom and dad around with his badge — and they couldn’t be prouder of the community he is a part of.
Added Peete of the Dodgers, “Then beyond that, what they do off the field and how they contribute, getting back to the community to walk the walk. For me, I love this team from A to Z.”
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Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete attend the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 2023 Blue Diamond Gala at Dodger Stadium on June 22, 2023.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In 2007, when Peete decided to speak openly about RJ’s diagnosis, there was no roadmap in place.
“At the time, I didn’t see a lot of people advocating for autism awareness,” the actress told PEOPLE ina 2018 interview.
It was eight years after RJ’s diagnosis, and the Peete family was still so unsure about how he would grow and develop.
“That was such a difficult time,” she said.
The Peete family attend the DesignCare 2022 Gala on June 18, 2022.David Livingston/Getty Images
David Livingston/Getty Images
But the21 Jump Streetstar felt that it was important to tell his story and bring more awareness to autism, so she wanted to talk to PEOPLE for a story in the magazine — even if her husband Rodney, 57, disagreed.
“My husband did not want to do that article. He thought it was labeling RJ and putting him on blast, and he wouldn’t be anything but this kid with autism and it was going to limit his possibilities in life,” Peete said at the time. “I was this total opposite, I said wehaveto talk about this, because we havethis platform to talk about autismand reach so many others.”
“It is really about family,” Peete told PEOPLE on Thursday. “When you come to Dodger Stadium, it’s a family atmosphere. They do the same thing when they go into the community.”
She added, “And it’s probably not often enough do you hear about what the Dodgers do in the community. And that’s why nights like this are so important.”
source: people.com
