News
Isiah Thomas: Mary’s Court Foundation
Isiah Thomas: Mary’s Court Foundation
by Alison Kuah for ProPlayerInsiders.comIsiah Thomas experienced his first Draft Day when he was just six years old. In the neighborhood that he was from, ‘Draft Day’ was a day when members of the Vice Lords street gang came to recruit some of his brothers at their home on Congress Street.
”We want your boys,” the gang leader told Thomas’s mother. ”They can’t walk around here and not be in no gang.”
”There’s only one gang around here, and that’s the Thomas gang,” she said, ”and I lead that.”
“If you don’t bring those boys out, we’ll get ‘em in the streets,” he said.
“Get off my porch,” she demanded, returning with a shotgun, ”or I’ll blow you ‘cross the Expressway.”
This incident just scraps the iceberg on the lengths that Mary Thomas had to go to protect her children; all nine of them. But Mary’s experience as a single mother with a limited income was a common one on the rough streets of Chicago’s Westside.
The percentage of households headed by single mothers that are in poverty is 31.6 percent, but that percentage doesn’t take into account the large number of single mothers who live just above the poverty line but still struggle to provide basic needs for their children. read more…
Isiah Thomas Supports ALS in the Ice Bucket Challenge!
Isiah Thomas Supports ALS in the Ice Bucket Challenge!
To help raise awareness for ALS (Amyotriophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), founder Isiah Thomas accepted the challenge to pour a bucket of ice water on himself and challenged former NBA stars to do the same. To learn more or to donate visit the ALS Association website.
Illinois Medical District Commission Approves Plans by Gateway Partners and Isiah Real Estate
Illinois Medical District Commission Approves Plans for One Million Square Foot Gateway Real Estate Development
IMDC Press ReleaseProject expansion underscores the growth of the Illinois Medical District and the demand for a denser, urban, mixed-use development to serve the more than 80,000 people who come to the District each day. The agreement was executed with Gateway Development Partners LLC, the master developer for the project. Gateway Development Partners LLC is comprised of Thomas Samuels Enterprises, East Lake Management & Development Corp., Isiah Real Estate, LLC, and Higgins Development Partners.
Report: Amazing Turnaround in Safety at Chicago Public Schools
‘Amazing’ Turnaround in Safety at Chicago Public Schools
City of Chicago Fact Sheet hereWe are proud to share the news out of Chicago that the 2013-2014 school year was the safest on record since the City began tracking student safety data. Mayor Emanuel’s great courage and leadership combined with Get In Chicago and Windy City Hoops programs have really made a difference to ensure that all kids have access to good health, safety and education. As Attorney General Eric Holder said, “There are a lot of great things going on in Chicago. There is an organized, a galvanized community led by a great mayor that has led to reductions in all the viable statistics — really amazing reductions”. Read more in the Chicago Sun Times here and read the results of the study here.
Isiah Thomas Assists In Annual Detroit Fireworks Fundraiser
Isiah Thomas Assists in Annual Detroit Fireworks Fundraiser
by Jason SnubnellServing as honorary chair for the 9th Annual Catch the Fireworks With Cass benefit, former Piston Isiah Thomas helped spread love in the community throughout the day. “People came up to us at the shelters,” said Rev. Faith Fowler, executive director, Cass Community Social Services (CCSS). “These kids wouldn’t know who Isiah is, and then two women came up and brought their bible for him to autograph.“I can’t tell you how much it means to them and us, to have this kind of support. I know the city’s turning around, but there are days that are long – really long. When they are, we’ll remember [days like] today.”
Watch the great VIDEO about Cass and the event by the Pistons here: http://www.nba.com/pistons/come-together-fireworks-ccss
Anti-Violence Rallies Held As Part of Chicago’s New Plan
Anti-Violence Rallies Held As Part of City of Chicago’s New Plan
by Tom Negovan of WGNMemorial Day weekend kicks off with a crusade against violence throughout Chicago. It’s being called the “summer of faith and action.” The plan is to head-off another hot and violent summer in Chicago. “I want the whole city to speak with one voice this weekend: Put the guns down. These streets belong to our children. They belong to our families,” Mayor Emanuel said.
The mayor recruited Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and NBA hall-of-famer Isiah Thomas to let neighborhoods like Englewood and Back of the Yards know that no matter what they do to take back their streets this Memorial Day weekend, they’re not doing it alone.
Isiah Thomas Voted a 2014 All Star of Giving
Isiah Thomas Voted a 2014 All Star of Giving
Isiah Thomas was recognized for his outstanding philanthropic work through his foundation, Mary’s Court! All Sports United , an organization dedicated to sports philanthropy, allowed the public to vote on the 41 nominees to determine the finalists through the website Givkwik. Congratulations to Isiah and the other finalists for their commitment to communities all over the world. The final winner, The Humanitarian of the Year, will be announced June 23, 2014 in Chicago.
Thomas Keeps Promise to Mom
THOMAS KEEPS PROMISE TO MOM
by Ira Berkow, at the New York Times, Published May 11, 1987In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to share one of our favorite articles about Mary Thomas.
Isiah Nominated in All Stars of Giving Challenge: Voting Begins Today
Isiah Nominated in All Stars of Giving Challenge: Voting Begins Today
by All Sports United and GivwikFor his work through Mary’s Court, Isiah has been named one of the Most Valuable Philanthropists! The top 10 All-Stars will be determined by YOUR VOTE! Vote today (or before May 15), share on social media and share with your friends!
“For years, sports personalities have graced the news with stories of excellence, but in recent years, scandal and defeat seem more likely to grab headlines,” said All Sports United Co-Founder Scott Manthorne. “By recognizing the efforts of deserving sports philanthropists, we can bring more positive news, highlighting the amazing work of athletes and promoting best practices for athletes’ foundations.” “The end result,” adds Co-Founder Alan Pavlosky, “will be that countless lives will be affected in a positive way by leveraging the platform of professional sports.”
“Bad Boys” Serve Meals at Capuchin Soup Kitchen
“Bad Boys” Serve Meals at Capuchin Soup Kitchen
by David Solano at WXYZ, ABC 7The Bad Boys are back in town, and took a timeout to deliver meals at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. “We look at ourselves on the floor as entertainers but off the floor we’re servants to the community,” said Isiah Thomas, a key player from the ’89 championship team. [Video]