Fittingly, the Chicago Bulls great said he has chosen 23 charitable organizations that will receive the net proceeds from the undisclosed settlement. They include After School Matters, the award-winning arts and education program founded by former Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley, and The Ounce of Prevention Fund, led by Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner.
“His support tells our young people that they are important, and that is such a wonderful message for them to receive,” Caron said.
The other organizations set to benefit are Casa Central, Chicago Scholars, Chicago Youth Programs, Children’s Literacy Initiative, Christopher House, Common Threads, Erikson Institute, Gary Comer Youth Center, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund — Illinois, KEEN Chicago, La Casa Norte, La Rabida Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Illinois, New Moms, New Teacher Center, Project Exploration, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Sinai Health System, SOS Children’s Village Illinois and Tutoring Chicago.
“We are proud to receive this donation from Michael Jordan, and honored to be in such great company with other organizations that are making a difference in Chicago,” Megan Meyer, a spokeswoman for Ounce of Prevention, said in a statement. “He has brought so much to the city of Chicago, and now his impact will be even greater.”
Jordan did not reveal the size of the donations, citing the terms of the settlement.
“The work these groups do each and every day to help kids is inspiring,” Jordan said in his statement. “I feel strongly about the importance of teaching and mentoring, of helping kids with disabilities and illnesses and providing opportunities for at-risk youth. I hope the donations can help these organizations continue to make positive changes within their neighborhoods and throughout the city.”