Washington Wizards star guard John Wall announced Friday through his John Wall Family Foundation, the launch of “The 202 Assist” program for Ward 8 residents in DC with their rent affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“D.C. has been my second home for 10 years now, and I have always had a strong connection to the community,” Wall said. “After learning how COVID-19 has affected the residents of Ward 8, I felt that I needed to act which is why I have partnered with the city. I hope that others will join me to help those in need during these uncertain times.”
Ward 8 is one of the most undeserved sections in the nation’s capital. It is also where the Wizards’ training facility, MedStar Wizards Performance Center, and home arena of WNBA’s Washington Mystics and NBA G-League’s Capital City Go-Go is located.
The goal of the program is to raise $300,000.
The four-week fundraiser will begin May 22. Potential applicants may apply for assistance from the program beginning June 1.
Wall’s foundation will collaborate with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of Housing and Community Development, Lydia’s House and Housing Counseling Services to select qualifying applicants and dispense rent relief from the program.
Wall has been a pillar in the outreach community in both his hometown of Raleigh, NC and his professional home of Washington, DC.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Wall has surprised doctors and nurses at both UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in DC by donating 2,300 N95 masks. Additionally, he partnered with Chick-Fil-A to provide approximately 600 meals for front line workers and first responders at each location.
