Our Mission
Founded in 2010 by Joakim Noah and his mother, Cecilia Rodhe, the Noah’s Arc Foundation works to inspire and lift up communities through art and sports programming.
Our core programs include the One City Basketball League and Expression from the Inside. Rooted in a collaborative approach to reducing violence, the One City Basketball League uses basketball as a unifier to build inter-community relationships and as a platform to empower participants to reach their full potential. The league also provides wrap-around programs including integrated workshops and group discussions centered on emotional wellness, trauma resilience, financial literacy, career readiness and art-based healing. Expression from the Inside, which centers on expressive art workshops, is designed to help those impacted by violence address trauma, including both youth and mothers who have lost children to gun violence.
NAF BY THE NUMBERS
Through the One City Basketball league and Expression from the Inside, Noah’s Arc Foundation is reaching youth and those impacted by violence across Chicago through impactful, engaging activities that promote healing and help people reach their full potential.