Last month, we reported that LeBron James was teaming up with the University of Akron to sponsor more than 1,000 full-ride scholarships for children currently enrolled in his foundation’s I Promise program in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Now, the NBA superstar has announced plans to expand his education program to the parents of the young kids who are being impacted by his organization.
According to Cleveland.com, the LeBron James Family Foundation has a new partnership with Project Learn of Summit County, which exists to help adults earn their GEDs. All parents of children enrolled in James’ scholastic mentorship program can get financial and emotional support to earn the high school equivalency credits they need.
[Related: LeBron James Pays for “His Kids†to Go to College]
Since 2011, the LeBron James Family Foundation has targeted poor, at-risk kids in his hometown in an effort to keep them in school and keep their parents involved in their educational endeavors. The new program for adults is called ‘I PROMISE, Too,’ Â and so far the nine parents enrolled in the program have received inspirational letters from the star athlete, HP laptop computers that they can keep if they finish the classes, and free bus passes and parking to attend the class.
“We are so excited about the I PROMISE, Too program because a huge part of our foundation’s work (with children) centers around parent involvement,” Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said. “This is an opportunity to help our parents make strides in their own academic careers so they are better equipped to help our students keep their educational promises. We can’t reach our students without their parents’ support, so this program is monumental for our families and their futures.”