CHICAGO — Former NFL stars are teaming up with local organizations and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) to launch a new community anti-violence and mentoring initiative at Hubbard Park on Thursday.
At noon, former NFL players Rashied Davis, Corey Mays and Garret Wolfe will join Mitts to kick off a new youth mentoring program called "Touchdown Score: Keeping Our Communities Safe & Clean." Local organizations such as West Side Black Elected Officials and the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago will also join the effort.
Aimed at Chicago youths ages 15-20, the program's mission is to tackle the violence in the Austin area with programs such as community cookouts, neighborhoods clean-ups and job-readiness mentoring programs.
According to the press release, the initiative was borne out of Davis' frustration and concern with the persistent crime and violence in Austin in what has been a particularly violent year for Chicago.
Mitts applauded the effort.
"I applaud these former NFL players for their support, interest and dedication to the Austin community," she said. "These former NFL superstar players have declared their ongoing commitment to helping keep our communities clean, safe and more livable, and I believe that this is a very encouraging sign of things to come."
Mitts said the mentoring program could have a profound and positive impact on the crime-riddled neighborhoods.
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