Giving kids a safe place to learn and grow this summer is music to Patrick Chung’s ears. His brand new foundation “Chung Changing Lives” is doing just that, allowing teenagers to create and express themselves through something close to Chung’s heart: music.
Patrick Chung is a Jamaican-Chinese NFL safety. He began his career with the New England Patriots, but was recently signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s already donated $25,000 to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center where he is providing music lessons for kids and connecting with his Asian roots.
Born in Jamaica, Chung—one of eight children—moved to Florida at the age of ten before landing in California with his brothers for high school. The encouragement of his large family drove him to enroll at Oregon University at the age of 16.
Chung’s childhood was filled with music. Chung’s mom, Sophia George, was a famous Jamaican musician; his father served as her producer. Two of his sisters are singers, while one of his brothers performs ballet internationally. His mother’s most famous song “Girlie Girlie”, a #1 hit in Jamaica, is Chung’s favorite. Chung himself enjoys writing music: “I write when I’m mad at something…any feelings I have, I just write them down, telling my life. That’s what music’s about: telling your life.”
His parents’ Jamaican fame and globe presence has exposed him to many different kinds of music. Chung enjoys all types of American music—any genre with a good story. His vast interests include rock, country, pop, alternative, hip hop, R&B, and more.
His camp, the Summer Music Academy for Real Teens—SMART for short—teaches teens how to read and understand music, allowing them to ignite their talents. College graduates are on hand to instruct the students. At SMART, Chung encourages his students to aim high: “We want to see what they can do,” Chung explains. “We want to give them an opportunity to better themselves.”
Chung places an emphasis on helping as many kids as possible:
“We want to give all kids the same opportunities as others so they have the same chance. We can get kids started early doing something constructive with their lives. They can work to be successful. When they grow up, maybe they can help someone else, you know? Just pretty much help kids grow academically, athletically, by the arts, whatever the case. Just give kids the opportunity to better themselves.”
SMART is the first major event of Chung’s foundation “Chung Changing Lives”. He runs the camp with his wife, who he describes as the “real boss.” Chung and his wife recently decided there were too many talented kids in the world unable to achieve their potential without certain resources. By providing money, instruments, instructions and more, “Chung Changing Lives” affords kids more opportunities. It is unsurprising that Chung chose a music camp as the foundation’s first event
“Music can do a lot of things,” says Chung, “It can pick you up when you’re sad, make you happy when you’re mad about something. You can relate to songs. There’s a difference between listening to music and understanding it—feeling it in your heart. It’s very important.”
When asked about the future of the “Chung Changes Lives,” regarding his career move from Boston to Philadelphia, Chung insisted his home won’t dictate the foundation’s future: “I’m hoping to go everywhere…there are kids all over the nation…I’m not worried about what team you play for. If we can help, we’re going to try to help…It’s not ‘Chung Changing Lives in Philadelphia,’ it’s ‘Chung Changing Lives.’ Period.”
Even though he’s moving on from the Boston, he has no hard feelings towards New England, “Nothing but love for Boston. They gave me the opportunities…the resources that we’re trying to give these same kids. I have nothing but love. They gave me my first shot.”
No doubt, Chung has accomplished a lot in his life so far. He’s endured “little kid” jokes at Oregon, he’s played in Super Bowl XLVI, and he’s preparing to begin a new experience in Philadelphia. Perhaps his most impressive feat, though, is the love and encouragement he offers his community. Many charity founders are distanced from their organization, but Chung spends multiple days a week checking-in with his participants, listening to their music and stories.
His ambitions see his foundation becoming a national icon. For now, though, he’s just focusing on the individual participants:
“You never know who the next Jay-Z or Beyonce is,” Chung beams, “it could be anyone here.”
Chung Changing Lives is dedicated to improving the lives of children through athletics, arts & music, and academics. Learn More
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