Bulls star Derrick Rose is giving back to his home town.
The point guard is donating $1 million to After School Matters, a youth program in Chicago that arranges out-of-school apprenticeships for teens.
The organization works with Rose’s Alma mater Simeon Career Academy.
“To have a strong community of people who believe in your potential can make all the difference in the world,” Rose, a native of the city’s South Side Englewood neighborhood, said in a statement. “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.
“Derrick’s significant contribution is making a tremendous statement to Chicago that our teens do matter,” said E. Robbie Robinson, the vice chair of After School Matters Board of Directors. “We are grateful for Derrick’s generosity, as we work hard to provide a safe and productive environment for teens to learn and explore their interests outside of the classroom.”
After School Matters was founded more than two decades ago by Chicago’s former First Lady Maggie Daley and is now run by Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments and wife of renowned movie maker George Lucas.
Local
“Derrick’s support of Chicago, particularly the care and concern he has for our teens, is an inspiration to anyone seeking to make this world a better place,” said Hobson.
Twenty-five-year-old Rose is set to begin training camp with the Bulls next week.
“My message to our kids is simple – you matter, you deserve every opportunity in life, and you can and should dream big because dreams can come true,” said Rose.
