The Chicago Bulls and the NBA today announced a season-long community program in celebration of the city hosting NBA All-Star 2020. The effort will bring together a group of leading Chicagoland community organizations to engage youth and support families in need while working to empower the next generation of leaders, including After School Matters, Center on Halsted, Chicago Housing Authority, Greater Chicago Food Depository, KultureCity, SocialWorks, Special Olympics, TAPS and Youth Guidance, among others.
As part of the effort, the Bulls and the NBA will organize a series of community and youth engagement programs using the power of service projects, the arts, community conversations and the game of basketball, including:
- Jr. NBA and Her Time to Play basketball and leadership programs
- Service projects focused on supporting food insecure people across the Chicagoland area
- Season of Giving events for families in need
- Support for the homeless population of Chicago
- Community conversations and youth-driven programs addressing important social issues affecting young people and
- Hoops for Troops programs for local military and their families
underserved communities
Earlier today, the Bulls and the NBA brought together 60 Chicagoland youth for an All-Star-themed clinic at the Advocate Center to officially tip-off the efforts. NBA Cares Ambassador Jason Collins and Bulls legends, including Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc, Bob Love and Mickey Johnson, worked alongside Bulls Youth Hoops coaches to lead on-court skill development focused on the values of the game.
"We are thrilled to bring the NBA All-Star game back to Chicago and we look forward to extending that energy into our community efforts all season long," said Michael Reinsdorf, Chicago Bulls President and COO. "NBA All-Star 2020 offered the opportunity to not only partner with the league but also join these leading community organizations in their tireless efforts to make an impact in our great city every day."
"The NBA is incredibly excited to come to Chicago this February, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with the Bulls on their season-long efforts in the community," said NBA Cares Ambassador Jason Collins. "We look forward to working with the team, community organizations and Chicago youth to amplify the work they do every day and use the power of our game to bring people together."
Outside of these efforts, members of the NBA family will also work alongside local community organizations and partners to support tens of thousands of children, families and people in need across Chicagoland through a series of grassroots programs and events during NBA All-Star in February.