LeBron James may be leaving his hometown for Los Angeles, but he is not leaving Akron without making his permanent mark on the town. The NBA star has opened a school called the I Promise School that comes with high expectations.
“We want every kid that walks through this school to be inspired, to come … away with something, something where they can give back,” LeBron told Don Lemon of CNN a few days ago. “For kids, in general, all they want to know is that someone cares. And when they walk through that door, I hope they know that someone cares.”
Among the many perks that come with attendance at the I Promise School in Akron is free tuition, meals, school uniforms, transportation from home to school for kids who live within two miles of the institution, and bicycles. Additionally, parents of kids who attend the school will have access to the food pantry on the premises and job placement assistance. Students who graduate from the school have guaranteed tuition to the University of Akron if they manage to get into the school.
“I know these kids basically more than they know themselves,” James tweeted a few days ago. “Everything that they’re going through as kids, I know,” he added. “It’s kind of bittersweet timing because on this hand I have a brand new school that’s opening and I want to be there on a day-to-day basis, 10 toes down for these kids. And then, on the other hand, I’m moving. I’m moving to Los Angeles. This is kind of like a dream come true for me.”
LeBron James’ mission to open the I Promise School has been in motion for several months. The NBA player announced his decision to trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers a few weeks ago. Learn more about the I Promise School here!
Photo: I Promise School
