re: Tyrus thomas honored with jefferson award

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Recognizing their selfless, generous and tireless commitment toward improving the world around them, Tyrus Thomas is one of two professional sports figures that have been awarded Jefferson Awards, one of the nation’s top honors for community service and volunteerism. Past recipients of the 38-year-old award include General Colin Powell, television personality Oprah Winfrey and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Tyrus Thomas, Incorporated (TTI), a non-profit organization was founded by Baton Rouge native, Tyrus Thomas, in 2009. Growing up in South Baton Rouge, Tyrus was keenly aware of the lack of financial and educational resources, as well as adequate role models, in his community. When he was blessed to play in the NBA, he decided to give back so that, "kids from his community would have the chance to live up to their full potential despite circumstances weighing them down."

In order to realize the first and foremost objective, TTI established C.A.T.C.H. (Caring and Actively Teaching Children Hope), a youth outreach and retention program targeting at-risk students. The program concentrates on five key initiatives; character and leadership empowerment, educational and technological development, financial and economic literacy, arts and culture, and a healthy mind and body. The first season of C.A.T.C.H. kicked off in June 2009 with 19 students in Baton Rouge.

TTI’s second objective is to make a significant and lasting impression in the communities it serves. This is accomplished through a number of community building initiatives. Last November, TTI collaborated with Citadel Broadcasting to host a free Thanksgiving meal for indigent residents of Baton Rouge. Over the Christmas holiday, TTI partnered with the CARA Program to “adopt” a low-income family in Chicago and present them with gifts, food, and a complete apartment renovation. In addition, TTI periodically sponsors, among other things, school supply drives and school uniform giveaways. Although Thomas no longer plays professional basketball in Chicago he still spends time and provides college scholarships to the students at his “adopted” school Crane Prep Tech High School, a public school in the Chicago public school system.

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