NBA star Russell Westbrook takes his talents off the courts and into the streets as he partners with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and Chap Brownstein to launch the Westbrook/Brownstein Green Tech Program in L.A. On August 19th, Westbrook celebrated the launch of the Westbrook/Brownstein Green Tech Program which focuses on getting at risk inner city youth off the streets. The partnership comes as no surprises for Westbrook fans with all the good he’s done through his Why Not? Foundation, but being able to give back to his hometown was a relatable moment for Westbrook. “I feel like this particular program actually impacts the kids’ futures, impacts their mind, the mentality of where they grew up, where they’re from,” Westbrook, tells PEOPLE. “I definitely can relate to that because I feel like I was one of those kids growing up in the city of Los Angeles and finding my way, figuring out what was the best path for me.”
The Houston Rockets player found his motivation to give back by remembering his upbringing and the lack of programs there were aimed at sustained education for youth, “I grew up like the kids that I see here today,” he says. “That is what resonates with me, these people that I can communicate with just because I know what it’s like to grow up in the inner city without certain things, without the resources, without having books, without having the right things to be successful, without having the tools to be able to do that…I can relate to them because I was one of them, and it’s important that they know that and understand that I am here to help give them the resources for them to be able to be successful in this world.” The Green Tech Program will train students in advanced careers as coding, computer literacy and computer engineering.
We love seeing celebs doing good for their community. Keep up the great work Russell Westbrook!
