Ron Artest, Metta World Peace image

Lakers forward Ron Artest, who recently changed his name to Metta World Peace (and got eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars”), has donated $50,000 to Little Rock nonprofit Centers for Youth and Families’ UNITY Gang Prevention Program.

Artest’s name change makes for some awesome press release moments.

Advertisement

Mr. World Peace’s charitable efforts encourage people to find the hope to seek wellness professionals and promote personal recovery. The UNITY program’s mission is to alter youth behavior by sharing collective prison experience and lessons, along with introducing positive constructive alternatives to negative behaviors, and offer youth coping skills by discussing and modeling responsibility and self-control.

“Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we feel toward Mr. World Peace. This has been a dream since 2005. The recent AETN documentary about UNITY started getting the message out. Now, we’ll be able to develop it further and take the program directly to youth.” states The Centers’ Prevention Services (UNITY) program manager Pam Plummer.

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Thursday To-Do: Zoo Brew Next article Sculpture in the Bernice Garden