NBA Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr. teamed up with Chicago nonprofit "The Support Group" for its annual Safe Summer Campaign Kickoff.
The local non-for-profit group is doing what they can to help kids stay safe this summer. They gave away food and supplies, and also hosted plenty of activities with the help of Hardaway, to make sure that effort is celebrated.
It will be a safe start to the summer if the community has their way.
'We're changing lives out here," The Support Group founder Bennie Henry said. "I'm not trying to say what anyone else is doing, but I know for a fact we're changing lives out here as far as kids are concerned."
Although the local group has been around for about 30 years, it's the first time the group is hosting a summer neighborhood event.
"Being safe every summer is a big deal, especially since one of my classmates lost her life to gun violence two years ago," 18-year-old program graduate Imani Gray said.
The gym at Walter Dyett High School in the city's Washington park neighborhood was filled with dozens of the program's participants as well as the community.
"I'm here to give back,"18-year-old program graduate Laura Altamirno Cartozo said. "I'm here to help the youth."
The Safe Summer Campaign offers resources designed to foster safe, vibrant and resilient neighborhoods by using a peace and leadership initiative, featuring sports, wellness and enrichment programs to empower teens to become outstanding students.
"We really want to focus on getting our youth together," The Support Group board of directors member Michelle Wright said. "Our communities together recognizing we have to be the change we want to see."
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Hardaway Sr. is a program co-founder. He awarded scholarships to students in the Advancing Young Leaders Program.
"Sports creates friendship," Hardaway said. "Sports creates comradery on the court, off the court."
Sage Reglus, an 18-year-old program graduate, attended the celebration. She's heading off to college to study biomedical engineering.
"I'm graduating, and a community is one of the most important things you need," Reglus said.
The event also had a lot of free giveaways, along with food, games and entertainment for the community.
Organizers said their efforts will not stop there. They say by supporting kids and their families and communities, they make sure that everyone has a safe summer.