Alonzo Mourning Charities

URL: http://amcharities.org/

Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation. AM Charities' mission is to encourage the educational development of our youth by creating programs and youth enrichment centers that promote positive change in low socioeconomic communities.

Since 1997, AM Charities has raised more than $6.5 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families. In addition to supporting other non-profit organizations, Mourning has focused his attention to stimulating the development of youth enrichment centers. With the help of donors, Mourning opened the first center in 2003 in the historic area of Overtown, in South Florida, known as the Overtown Youth Center.

A major component of AM Charities is the Honey Shine Mentoring Program that works to empower young girls to shine as women. Comprised of bi-weekly workshops and summer camps, the program develops and nurtures the minds, bodies and souls of young women while providing experiences that create balance in their lives.

At the start of the 2000-2001 season, Alonzo discovered he had Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment. His diagnosis inspired him to launch Zo's Fund for Life, a campaign that raises funds to fight FSGS through research, education and testing.