Shot out to Magic Johnson, his partners Mark and Kimbra Walter for their City Youth Empowerment, LLC. They are doing more than just talking about curbing the youth violence rate in the city of Chicago. They are putting their money where their mouth is.
The former NBA great turned business mogul has gifted $10 million dollars towards youth empowerment in the city of Chicago. Speficially, the money will go wards the providing jobs for at risk youth in designated high crimes area via the “One Summer Chicago Plus” program.
Their two year, $10 million dollar donation will provide over 5,000 summer jobs for teens at risk of being exposed to violence in the city. As you already know, black neighborhoods in the city of Chicago have some of highest crime and violence rates in the nation. Many contribute this to the lack of economic opportunity and viability in the job market for young people.
Programs like “One Summer Chicago Plus” aim to change this by providing effective summer jobs to these 16 to 19 year olds from high crime areas that have been involved with the juvenile justice system. In addition, these candidates will have missed at least six to eight weeks of school, which puts them in danger of dropping out and being another statistic.
This program is expensive costing ,900 per student, which is almost triple the cost of a traditional summer job.
However, the program offers 25 hours per week during the summer, a mentor, congnitive behaviroal therapy and social-skills building.
Last year, One Summer Chicago Plus hired and mentored 1,000 at-risk youth. This summer, it’ll be 2,000. The following year, it’ll be up to 3,000.
“We are proud to partner on an initiative that has proven to change the trajectory of at-risk kids’ lives,” Johnson was quoted as saying in a press release.
“Providing disadvantaged kids with alternatives is a step in the right direction toward helping them reach their full potential and curb violence in our neighborhoods.”
Johnson’s business partner, Mark Walter, said he’s proud to work with the mayor on a program with “demonstrable, proven” results.
“As a result of the research findings, we felt compelled to help bring this opportunity to a greater number of kids who can benefit. The impact on these young people is both real and tangible,” Walter was quoted as saying.
It seems Magic Johnson’s laser like focus on the basketball court is translating to his the youth and our future. He is focusing on the segment of the population many have turned their back on and deemed hopeless. Hopefully, he and many others will pitch in and make a difference.
SOUND OFF: What do you think of Magic Johnson’s efforts to help under privileged youth and the million dollar gift to jump start the effort?
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