Chicago Bulls star Joakim Noah takes his work in community and his position as a role model very seriously.  He says as a teenager he went through some difficult times and he had a mentor who helped him.  “I want to pass it forward and be a role model for the next generation,” said Joakim Noah. “I feel I can make a difference working with the kids at One Hope United.”

The Noah family and the Noah’s Arc Foundation support the mission of One Hope United and the at-risk children and families that the agency serves. Cécilia Rodhe is serving as the honorary chairwoman for One Hope United’s 9th Annual Blue Ribbon Event on Sunday, April 15th.

Noah and his mother founded the Noah’s Arc Foundation where they engage kids through art and sports. Cécilia Rodhe, who has been working with high-risk children for the last 15 years, explains, “Our program aims to help children find a stronger sense of self through the discipline of sports and the open mindedness of arts. We want to help them become more confident adults who can express the purity of their true thoughts and feelings.” Recently, Noah and Rodhe brought a number of youths in One Hope United services to Noah’s house, where they had a great time barbecuing and playing basketball. After a round of hoops, the boys worked with Cécilia on expressive art projects, and in those projects, they were able to convey many of the feelings and thoughts they had otherwise found difficulty in articulating.

In this video, Joakim Noah shares his story of moving to New York and the mentors who helped him, as well as the experiences that inspired him to start the Noah’s Arc Foundation. He has a lot to say about the organization and the importance of ensuring that every child has someone in their corner.

One Hope United’s annual Blue Ribbon Event is dedicated to increasing awareness of child abuse and neglect, a crisis affecting a growing number of children and families in Lake County and throughout Illinois each year. This year’s event will take place from 12 – 4 p.m. on the 15th at The Lehmann Mansion, 485 Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa. Tickets cost $100 and proceeds benefit the children and families in One Hope United programs.