Athletes in Chicago Answering the Question, What About Chicago

When people debate on social media and in the news about the need for gun reform after a senseless shooting; someone always asks well what about Chicago and all the people being shot. Chicago athletes have heard it too and they are answering the question with their work in the community.

Athletes born and raised or a member of a team in Chicago are embraced by the city and considered Chicagoans. Many of those athletes have taken the challenge of supporting the community very seriously. Derrick Rose, Patrick Beverly, Dwyane Wade, Michael Jordan, Rashied Davis, Matt Forte, Jarrett Payton and Kerry Wood just to name a few have donated time and money, created foundations and organizations that will provide education, development and leadership opportunities for young people in underserved communities.

This summer a large group of athletes once again answered the question what about in Chicago when retired Chicago Bear Sam Acho joined forces with several athletes and the nonprofit, By The Hand Club for Kids to work with youth in the Austin neighborhood in Chicago. The athletes participated in healing circles, talked to youth to learn about their experiences growing up in the neighborhood, talked to the youth about some of the needs in the neighborhood and toured the neighborhood.

The group listened to the youth speak about their experiences and the idea for a grocery store was developed. This group of community-minded athletes joined together and raised $500,000 to purchase a liquor store. It was demoli