LeBron James pledges college scholarships for at-risk Akron kids
LeBron James wants to help at-risk young people in Akron, Ohio, by pledging to give college scholarships to kids in the University of Akron.
Having experienced how it is to be an at-risk child in Akron, LeBron James set out to use the blessings he received from his basketball profession to help the youth in Ohio have a chance to make their lives better. His foundation set up the "I Promise" program, together with the University of Akron, to create college scholarships for around 1,000 at-risk youth, according to NBC Sports.
On Thursday, James announced the program during an event at the Cedar Point Amusement Park. He expressed his happiness and excitement over what the program would be able to do for the recipients of the scholarship.
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"These students have big dreams, and I'm happy to do everything I can to help them get there," NBC quotes James' statement. "They're going to have to earn it, but I'm excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures."
As of now, the LeBron James Family Foundation and the University of Akron are still mapping out the final criteria for the future college scholarships. The scholars will have to finish high school in a public school in Akron and reach a certain average in a test. They will also be required to serve the community, the Hollywood Life reports.
According to the professional NBA player, the project is important to him because he knows how it is to grow up in the streets of Ohio and be unsure of the future beyond high school. James did not go to college because he immediately qualified for the NBA.
One of the goals of James' foundation is to increase Akron's graduation rate. As part of its efforts to achieve this goal, the foundation conducts mentoring and tutoring programs for kids who are in danger of dropping out of school because of family problems or other issues, the report relays.
The University of Akron will shoulder the costs for the scholarships, which amount to around $9,500 per year. The foundation, on the other hand, will help the kids get and keep the scholarships. The program will begin the project with the 2021 class.
