Pascal Siakam has become one of the top players in the NBA in recent years, highlighted by his selection to the All-NBA Third Team this past season.
But for all his success on the court with the Raptors, Siakam takes pride in his work in the community and his various charity work around Toronto and elsewhere.
On Wednesday, Toronto Metropolitan University announced that Siakam, in partnership with the PS43 Foundation Canada, made a donation this past summer to the Lincoln Alexander School of Law to give students the opportunity to “gain meaningful and rewarding experiences to work with several organizations working toward positive outcomes. social change.”
“My father understood that education has the power to change lives and I strive to honor his passion for learning through our work at PS43,” said Siakam. “Giving students at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law the opportunity to contribute to and learn from organizations that have the public interest at heart is exactly the kind of empowering experience that can change their futures. “
The 28-year-old’s support has helped expand the law school’s reach Summer Experience Projects initiative and includes organizations that typically do not have the capabilities or resources to provide students and young lawyers with hands-on experience during their summer break.
The goal of the initiative is to pair students with “frontline organizations that assist Indigenous, racialized, and other equity-deserving communities that face poverty, discrimination or other systemic legal barriers system and/or education, social and mental health services.”
“Our law school has a responsibility to prepare our students to be skilled lawyers and engaged citizens committed to serving their communities with compassion,” said Donna E. Young, Founding Dean of Lincoln Alexander School of Law. “We are extremely grateful to Mr. Siakam and the PS43 Foundation Canada for this generous gift, which has given our students a valuable opportunity to work with communities in advocating for equity and social justice.”
Siakam and PS43 Foundation Canada’s donation has given organizations concerned with peace of mind to engage young aspiring lawyers in their work without having to worry about the financial commitment it inevitably entails.
“This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with Justice For Children and Youth — a Toronto-based legal clinic that offers legal services to youth facing poverty and homelessness,” said Shardaine Rowe Brown, a second-year law student. . “Mr. Siakam’s donation to my law school not only allowed me to gain legal experience without financial stress, it also opened a new path for a potential career as a social justice lawyer .Mr. Siakam’s generosity has directly impacted my future in a positive and meaningful way.”
Lincoln Alexander School of Law is Canada’s newest law school, accepting its first students in 2020.
Founded by Siakam, PS43 Foundation Canada is a not-for-profit organization that aims to impact children’s lives through education, encouraging financial literacy, sports and life skills to “educate children and give them social advantage.”
In June, the Douala, Cameroon native hosted his third “Coding for Champions” initiative, where the Raptors star and his foundation donated 150 laptops to girls seeking careers in the industry of technology.
More from Yahoo Sports