After its inaugural celebrity softball game last summer, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to serving youth and adults with disabilities is ready to play ball once again.
Safeway Community Services is hosting “Roots n’ Stars: Celebrity Softball Classic” from 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday at The Corner Ballpark in Corktown. The game will feature a lineup of local celebrities, such as R&B artist Detroit Zeus, rapper GT, actor Goerge Middlebrook and Detroit Director of Youth Affairs Jerjuan Howard.
Tickets begin at $10 and are available on Eventnoire.
The game will feature two, 13-member teams, the Detroit Dream Chasers and Motor City Heroes. As a former athlete, Safeway co-founder and native Detroiter Christina Jordan will be playing in the game and Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is expected to throw out the first pitch.
Jordan started the nonprofit with her mother Anisha Jordan in 2022 after being inspired to help her twin brothers who have intellectual disabilities. In the past four years, Safeway has served more than 1,000 people through its autism awareness training, special education support and community events in Detroit and Houston, where Jordan is based now. The group also hosts backpack giveaways, workshops and other events.
Education is a big part of the organization’s mission, with Safeway offering mentorship and internship programs for teens and young adults. During the event, Safeway will award three of its college interns with $1,000 scholarships. Last year, the organization awarded its first scholarship to a Michigan State University student.
In addition to the game, attendees will be able to enjoy live music, food trucks, raffles, giveaways and games.
Jordan said her team and interns have worked to promote the event and push out autism awareness via community partners and the game sponsors, PNC Bank, Sunshine Care Homes and Vitamin Shoppe.
She said the organization partnered in December with the Tobias Harris Family Foundation on a Target giveaway, providing five families with $1,000 gift cards. During that event, her nonprofit learned about a Detroit mother and her son, who plays baseball. A portion of the funds from the weekend event will be donated to the family during Safeway’s next autism awareness seminar in October.
“We’re really excited to support them and give back,” she said.
Jordan said Safeway continues to grow and impact more people each year. Next year, she said, the nonprofit hopes it can give out at least six scholarships.
“Our main mission and focus is impacting the individuals that need to be impacted,” she said. “We want to give back to the community, we want a safe place for people to come and enjoy and have fun with their family, and not only that, we’re raising awareness about topics that need to be talked about.”
