Derrick Rose to donate $1 million to After School Matters

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Derrick Rose said he will make a $1 million donation to After School Matters, a Chicago-based non-profit that provides jobs for teens and helps them develop life skills.

The Chicago Bulls point guard, NBA MVP and three-time All Star is a native of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on the South Side.

"To have a strong community of people who believe in your potential can make all the difference in the world," Rose said. "So many people have invested in me and I want to do the same for Chicago's teens."

The donation will be used to help create more opportunities for the young people After School Matters serves. The organization was founded more than 20 years ago by the city's former First Lady, Maggie Daley, and has served more than 200,000 teens since.

"My message to our kids is simple - you matter," Rose said. "You deserve every opportunity in life. You can and should dream big, because dreams can come true."

News of Rose's donation comes the same night as the After School Matters gala, a fundraiser and showcase for students' work.

Two unique pieces of art hit the auction block Tuesday night: a Beatles-themed bench signed by Sir Paul McCartney and a drawing of E.T. and R2D2 by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, who is married to After School Matters Board Chair Mellody Hobson.