You ask them to come in next year and be a little smarter, a little bit more ma-ture and to help this team get better. They’re a big part of our future.”

A number of athletes scoff at the idea, but they are considered role models in the impressionable eyes of youth—es-pecially in South Florida. According to the 2008 Promise Alliance survey on high school graduation rates nation-wide, Miami/Dade County School Dis-trict only graduates 49.0 percent of its high school students. That translates into 151,444 students graduating out of the 248,943 that enrolled as freshmen. The social ills that are plaguing many of South Florida’s youth are often lost in the glossy tourist havens that decorate the state’s coastline. Dwyane Wade’s willingness to step out of the limelight and into the f luorescent-lit classrooms of South Florida schools is furthering his legacy beyond the court.

Since 2003, the Wade’s World Foun-dation has been helping the children of underserved communities in South

Florida as well as in Wade’s hometown of Chicago. The foundation’s compo-nents for change focus on the areas of education, health and social skills. “We deal with a lot of different children from many walks of life,” Wade says regarding the foundation’s community outreach. “And just like I continue to say, it’s all about helping them see be-yond what’s outside their front door. Once they see that someone believes in them, that’ll make them want to do more.” In addition to confronting the issues of a failing education system in Miami and gun violence amongst teens in Chicago, Wade has personally spon-sored homes in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward to be a part of the revitalization process post-Hurricane Katrina.

This past July in Miami, Wade joined forces again with former team-mate Alonzo Mourning for the 13th Annual Zo’s Summer Groove. The four day spectacular featured a Block Party, Benefit Dinner, Comedy Show and All-Star Basketball game with some of the NBA’s best all for charity. “What Alon-

zo does with his foundation is the same thing I believe and that’s enriching the lives of the children of South Florida.” Another component was the Golf Clas-sic at the picturesque Doral Resort & Spa. On the basketball court, Wade is a master. The same cannot be said for the course.

“Getting prepared for this event, Alonzo made me get out there on the course so I could at least hit the ball off of the tee,” Wade says laughingly. “I’m getting a feel for the game. One of the toughest things is trying to remember to keep your arm straight on a swing to turning your hips and doing that while turning your back foot. Even learning not to take your eye off the ball when you’re swinging is tough. It’s a hard sport.”

Adapting to new challenges is noth-ing new for Dwyane Wade. Standing his ground on the court is eclipsed by his altruism away from it. His actions are not only a catalyst for inspiration, but one for change as well.

The Green Magazine October 2009 39