Chicago Bulls superstar point guard Derrick Rose, long an active member of the community, has donated $1 million to After School Matters, a Chicago-based non-profit organization devoted to providing innovative out-of-school programs for teenagers.
Rose’s gift targets teens who, for the most part, are minorities living below the poverty level.
From the press release and Chicago Tribune:
“To have a strong community of people who believe in your potential can make all the difference in the world,” said Rose, a native of Englewood, who is a point guard for the Chicago Bulls. “So many people have invested in me and I want to do the same for Chicago’s teens.”
The funds will be used to drive the growth of unique programming experiences for teenagers throughout the city in the arts, communications, science, sports and technology. Participants develop critical life skills to help them prepare for work, college and beyond. Last year the organization created thousands of opportunities for teens, all with stipends attached, according to E. Robbie Robinson, Vice Chair of After School Matters Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the organization’s 2014 Annual Gala, and a Managing Director at Chicago-based BDT & Company.
“He reached out,” said Robinson. “There was a conversation around what would be the best way to build a relationship. He and his family concluded this is what they wanted to do and to make a big statement.”
