Mar. 2 2015 – The Chicago Bulls and Magellan Corporation are hosting the team’s annual “Violence Prevention Night” at tomorrow night’s game vs. the Washington Wizards. For the second consecutive year, the Bulls will recognize some of the team’s community partners that focus on anti-violence initiatives. Staff and students from Major Adams Community Committee (MACC) and Youth Guidance’s B.A.M. (Becoming a Man) programs will attend the game as representatives of these partners and will be celebrated through a number of pre-game and in-game activities.
More than 25 students will watch the team’s shoot-around, take a center court photo and stay for the game as guests of the team. Each student will also receive a Chicago Bulls drawstring bag, t-shirt and notebook.
“The Signature Series Nights allow the Bulls to recognize our partners who are leaders in the nonprofit community,” said Nancy Reinsdorf, President of Chicago Bulls Charities. “We have such a strong relationship with each of these organizations who share our mission to ensure students from all walks of life have access to programs that keep them safe and on track with their school work. A special thanks to Magellan Corporation for their continued support in the Bulls’ community outreach efforts and for partnering with us to make tonight so special.”
“Major Adams Community Committee and Youth Guidance do great work in our community,” said Bob Arthur, President of Magellan Corporation. “These organizations have a powerful, positive, influence on the lives of Chicagoland youth by keeping kids away from violence and on the right path to adulthood. We are honored to play a part in Violence Prevention Night and to support these civic groups in partnership with Chicago Bulls Charities.”
B.A.M. is a dropout prevention and anti-violence programs for at-risk male students in grades 7-12 that offers in-school programming, in some cases complemented by after-school sports, to develop social-cognitive skills strongly correlated with reductions in violent and anti-social behavior. The Bulls have partnered with Youth Guidance since early 2012, arranging for guest speakers to address their program youth groups, offering mentoring opportunities, hosting students at games, providing arena tours, and organizing career presentations. B.A.M. currently serves more than 2,000 male youths in close to 43 schools and has been widely recognized by policymakers, including President Obama and Mayor Emanuel, as a successful program that supports students and reduces violent crime. The team also works with Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (W.O.W) program, which serves 1,000 female youth at 30 schools.To learn more about Youth Guidance, visit www.youth-guidance.org.
MACC, located near the United Center in the Near West Neighborhood, is dedicated to mentoring and teaching at-risk students as well as helping them realize their full potential. The Bulls have worked with MACC over the last few years to organize player appearances, artistic expression workshops, holiday events and basketball tournaments. To learn more about MACC, visit www.majoradamscommunitycommittee.org.
Violence Prevention Night is the third in a series of three Signature Nights held during the 2014-2015 season to highlight the Chicago Bulls’ areas of charitable focus. The Bulls celebrated “Youth Education Night” at the December 12, 2014 game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers and “Health & Wellness Night” at the January 22, 2015 game vs. the San Antonio Spurs.