LeBron James is helping Ohio parents earn their GED

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, Ohio

AKRON, Ohio -- Last month LeBron James partnered with the University of Akron to provide a guaranteed four-year scholarship to students in James' "I Promise" program.

Now LeBron is launching a new program that will help parents earn their high school GED credits, the LeBron James Family Foundation and Project Learn of Summit County announced Thursday.

It's called "I Promise, Too." The program allows parents to take classes that integrate General Education Development (GED), life skills curriculum, technology, and family literacy activities. Project Learn and the foundation will cover the cost of classes, the GED exam and will provide tablets for participating parents.

"We are so excited about the I PROMISE, Too program because a huge part of our foundation's work centers around parent involvement. This is an opportunity to help our parents make strides in their own academic careers so they are better equipped to help our students keep their educational promises," said Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation. "We can't reach our students without their parents' support, so this program is monumental for our families and their futures."

LJFF's Wheels for Education Program and Akron "I PROMISE" Network serves more than 1,100 Akron Public School students and provides them with the mentors, resources, and experiences needed to help them be successful in school.

The program helps the students' parents become workforce ready.

"We are thankful to have the Foundation's support and are dedicated to providing avenues for I PROMISE, Too students to recommit to education," said Alexia Harris, Communications Manager for Project Learn. "The program will strengthen the skills needed to better function as family members, workers, and lifelong learners."

Parents of the first class of the program will begin their coursework with the start of the 2015 Fall school year, and will remain on track to earn their GED credentials by the end of 2016.