November 9, 2016
Page 11
VETERAN’S DAY
Special Edition
b ruCe e ly /
P ortland t rail b lazers
Photo by
CJ McCollum unveiled the CJ
McCollum Dream Center at
the Blazers Boys and Girls
Club on Northeast Martin
Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Monday, introducing a
venue that will introduce
and inspire career paths for
underserved children in the
community.
Blazer makes
space for
kids to learn,
explore
Portland Trail Blazer and NBA
Most Improved Player CJ McCollum
celebrated the opening of the ‘CJ Mc-
Collum Dream Center’ Monday, an
innovative learning room outfitted
with new computers, books, art and
learning tools, at the Blazers Boys &
Girls Club on Northeast Martin Lu-
ther King Jr. Boulevard.
A new partnership between Mc-
Collum and Boys and Girls Clubs of
Portland aims to provide safe and in-
spiring spaces for underserved youth
to learn, explore, create and grow at
select locations in the community.
“It is so important to encourage kids
to explore their passions and educate
themselves about what they love, and
I hope this Dream Center serves as a
constructive place for them to grow,”
said McCollum. “Portland has made
a long-term commitment to me, and I
am excited to now do the same with
the communities that have been so sup-
portive of me on my way to achieving
my dream of playing in the NBA.”
McCollum met with youth who
live in or near the King neighbor-
hood where the Blazers Boys and
Girls Club is located this summer to
hear what their dreams were and what
kind of space would help them lay
the groundwork for pursuing those
dreams.
McCollum is now in his fourth sea-
son with the Blazers after being draft-
ed 10th in 2013 NBA Draft. He grad-
uated from Lehigh University with a
degree in Journalism, which he puts
into practice in his spare time hosting
radio shows, appearing in guest roles
on ESPN and writing for various pub-
lications.