GRETNA, La. — CJ McCollum wants to make a lasting impact in his community, through education, and the Pelicans guard is giving local kids that 'head start' by building what he calls ''Dream Centers."
"I grew up in the inner city where education wasn't always a priority," McCollum said. "A lot of times we didn't have resources, the kids around me didn't have resources to be successful. So we want to provide kids with a head start."
Thursday, the first Dream Center in Louisiana opened on the Westbank. The center provides state-of-the-art learning resources for youths, like new laptops and tablets, smart boards, virtual reality headsets, and even audio equipment to record podcasts.
"This could help me get ready, like being able to talk to people that I don't know," said Donnie Brown Jr., a kid with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana.
"This center is so cool. I like coming here after school and learning", said another kid who attended the grand opening.
And the kids also gave input on what they wanted at the center, to help facilitate their learning experience.
"They wanted a space where they could get books, leave books for friends, leave books for peers. And we have the vegetable garden outside, so that allows them to become more familiar with farming and kind of getting their hands dirty and learning some of those types of responsibilities," McCollum said.
But it's more about them he assured. He said he wants to set kids up to become successful.
This is the third Dream Center set up by CJ McCollum. The first two were established in Portland when he played for the Trail Blazers. After McCollum was traded to the Pelicans two years ago, he worked to get a Center put at the Westbank Girls and Boys Club.
"I think it's important that they understand that I'm serious about my commitment to New Orleans", McCollum said. "I'm serious about my commitment to this city and I think it shows in the work I've consistently put in here, the time I've consistently put in."
McCollum said he and organizers have been thoughtful about the approach since the beginning.
"A lot of the kids we serve have been disappointed over and over again", said Angel Nelson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana. "He really took the time to get to know our kids and show them that 'Hey look, I'm here for you, I support you, I care about you' and their futures."
CJ McCollum's dream, making a true impact in New Orleans.
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