| 2003: NBA Community Assist Award |
 November 3, 2003 - Jalen Rose is the recipient of the NBA Community
Assist Award for the month of August. During his nine seasons in the
NBA, Jalen has worked to make a difference in the community of each
city in which he has played as well as his hometown of Detroit, MI.In August, Jalen hosted the Jalen Rose Foundation Celebrity Weekend in an effort to raise funds and awareness for various charities such as Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Special Olympics Illinois and The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Among the events was an empowerment seminar for 400 local teenagers that addressed various issues including education, teen violence, careers and cultural diversity. Jalen also hosted a charity basketball game at the United Center, to which he personally distributed more than 2,000 free tickets to children at local schools and youth clubs on Chicago's west side. "I really believe that with my success comes responsibility," Jalen said. "I have more than I ever expected, but true success will be demonstrated in how I help others." The goals of the Jalen Rose Foundation include assisting deserving children in achieving their primary education and college goals. The foundation provides funding for programs that support single-parent families, works with community kitchens to provide meals to individuals and families in need and supports non-profit organizations that assist deserving children in achieving their educational goals. In addition to the Jalen Rose Foundation, Jalen established the Jalen Rose Chicago Children's Foundation to aid children living in Chicago who have lost a parent. He established the foundation after the E2 nightclub tragedy by making an initial donation of $25,000. At every Chicago Bulls home game of the 2002-03 season, Jalen sponsored his own section for a local non-profit group at the United Center. Each fan seated in the "Rose Garden" received a ticket to the game, a t-shirt and an opportunity to meet Jalen before the game. Throughout the season, Rose donated nearly 1,000 tickets to local children. During a recent visit to his alma mater, Detroit Southwest High School, Jalen announced the recipients of the Jalen Rose Foundation Scholarship. Jalen donated five $10,000 scholarships to high school seniors planning on attending college in the fall of 2003 in an effort to give back to his hometown community. Scholarship recipients were based on academics, extra-curricular activities, letters of recommendation and an essay explaining the student's college goals. Jalen joins the Dallas Mavericks' Antawn Jamison (July), Minnesota Timberwolves' Troy Hudson, Ervin Johnson and Mark Madsen, Phoenix Suns' Shawn Marion and Los Angeles Clippers' Cherokee Parks (June); Washington Wizards' Jerry Stackhouse (May); New York Knicks' Allan Houston (April); Orlando Magic's Darrell Armstrong (March); Sacramento Kings' Chris Webber (February); San Antonio Spurs' Malik Rose (January); Detroit Pistons'? Michael Curry (December); Dallas Mavericks' Michael Finley (November); and Philadelphia 76ers' Todd MacCulloch (October) in the Community Assist Award winners' circle for the 2002-03 NBA season. As the recipient of the NBA Community Assist Award, Jalen will receive the David Robinson Plaque, with the inscription "Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson who improved the community piece by piece." On March 23rd, NBA Commissioner David Stern presented San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson with an honorary plaque and announced that all future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque. The NBA Community Assist Award is given out monthly by the league to recognize players for their charitable efforts. The award honors the NBA player who reflects the passion that the league and its players have for their communities. All 29 NBA teams are able to nominate a player for the award each month. The NBA, its teams and players are committed to programs that improve the quality of life for all people and has created and implemented programs that address important social issues, with a special emphasis on reading and online literacy initiatives for children. The NBA and its 29 teams make a difference in North America through the Read to Achieve Program, donations to charities and the implementation of community outreach initiatives, and through the production and airing of public service announcements. Jalen, accompanied by his mother, accepted the award on November 3rd, prior to taking on the Houston Rockets. NBA Goodwill Ambassador, Bob Lanier, made a special visit to Chicago to present the award and congratulate Jalen on all of his accomplishments in the community. |
