Thursday morning — ahead of the Mavericks game against the Golden State Warriors — Kidd shared his inspiration and mission behind the new “J-Kidd For The Win” program launched this week.
Kidd will personally write a $5,000 check to support local youth programs for every remaining home victory this season.
And for those keeping count, there are 10 home games left at American Airlines Center. So with the help of fans — and some victories on the court — many young lives will be impacted.
“I think with being drafted here and then coming back and winning a championship — this is home,” Kidd explained. “So to be able to come back and now coach the Mavs [is special]. I’ve been a part of the community before, so this is a great opportunity to do it again here as a coach.
“A lot of times, we just look at players having the platform, but also coaches in this league can do the same thing. So I feel great and lucky to have this opportunity to be able to help.”
This specific program is unique in the NBA because the Mavs didn’t have to approach and beg Kidd to create something special for youth. Instead, he came up with the idea months ago out of a place of gratitude. He wanted to give back to the game that has afforded him so much.
“The Dallas Mavericks are so thrilled that Coach Kidd wants to give back to the kids here in our area,” said Katie Edwards, SVP of External Affairs for the Dallas Mavericks.
“This was something he was passionate about and came to us to help identify potential partners and plug into the local community. It’s so special to us to be able to partner with him in his first year as head coach and so happy that he reached out to us and shared the immediate impact he wants to make.”
Community outreach is nothing new to Kidd. He started the Jason Kidd Foundation years ago to improve education among youth by ensuring that kids of all ages have the tools needed through mentoring, tutoring and technology programs to succeed in life.
His Jason Kidd Select organization is another one of his outreach programs and its mission is to empower young women and create equality for female athletes both on and off the court. These are not just words to Kidd — but rather something he lives and breathes.
This summer, before Kidd’s official introduction as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, he and new general manager Nico Harrison first made another stop.
They stepped in front of young girls attending the Mavs’ GEM camp — which stands for Girls Empowered by Mavericks. Kidd shared with the youth between ages 9-14 that he would teach his players about life outside of basketball and stress the importance of giving back to the community. As fathers, they wanted the young girls to know they cared about their futures.
Most of all, he wanted to use his platform for the greater good. Kidd felt like by doing things the right way, it would lead to a winning product on the court.
So far, his vision has worked well this season. The “J-Kidd For The Win” program is essential for the community and the money raised will impact many North Texas children.
“These dollars will be critical to support youth education and after-school programs and we’re happy to help distribute the funds through the Mavericks and the Mavs Foundation,” said Edwards. “We hope fans will join Coach Kidd and donate as well.”
Distributed by the Mavs Foundation, the donation will help fund three local organizations dedicated to youth education and programming:
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