NFL Stars Join in Initiative to Revive Blighted Neighborhoods

The ""United Athletes Foundation"":http://www.unitedathletesfoundation.org/ (UAF) is working with two nonprofits to create an initiative that utilizes the influence of star athletes to help revitalize blighted communities.

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UAF, ""Builders of Hope"":http://www.buildersofhope.org/, and ""Consumer Education Services Inc."":http://www.cesidebtsolutions.org/ (CESI) launched Bring it Home.

The initiative is designed to help targeted areas renovate housing and repopulate neighborhoods with the goal of stabilizing prices and increasing safety. The organizations will pilot the program in Baltimore and Atlanta.

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Builders of Hope will provide $30 million of private investment to the program and will rehabilitate approximately 500 homes in each market.

NFL stars Ray Lewis and Reggie Howard will serve as Bring It Home's local ambassadors in Baltimore and Atlanta, respectively. Lewis, legendary linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, serves as the vice chairman of the UAF board.

Howard, who played seven seasons in the NFL, founded UAF and serves as its president and executive director.

In a statement, Howard said the initiative is the perfect marriage of how athletes can leverage celebrity status to make positive changes in their communities.

""We believe the awareness that UAF ambassadors can bring to the growing problem of abandoned, vacant housing in our cities will help Builders of Hope and CESI turn blighted neighborhoods into vibrant communities,"" said Howard.

UAF athletes will serve as ambassadors for the initiative and work with CESI and Builders of Hope to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing and help rebuild the neighborhoods where their fans reside.