Magic Johnson just dished out his most important assist ever.
The former Lakers great and consummate Philanthropist — stepped up along with Mark and Kimbra Walter to donate $10 million to a Chicago jobs program.
Johnson and the Walters, are partners in Inner City Youth Empowerment LLC.
Their two-year, $10 million gift to the city will triple the size of the program known as “One Summer Chicago Plus” — and provide 5,000 summer jobs for young people at risk of being exposed to violence. The city will contribute $6 million during the same period.
One Summer Chicago Plus is a costly but effective summer jobs program whose 16- to 19-year-old participants are drawn from high schools in high-crime areas.
To qualify for the 25-hour-a-week summer jobs — as well as a mentor, cognitive behavioral therapy and social-skills building — students must first have missed six to eight weeks of high school or been directly involved in the juvenile justice system.
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.