KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy used the team’s bye week to hold a luncheon with city leaders and local non-profits in search of new partnerships and donations to expand his foundation to the metro area, focusing on supporting single mothers and their children.
Worthy’s foundation, “The Worthy 1s,” aims to reach Kansas City’s large population of single mothers. According to Rachel Segobia, executive director of The Single Mom KC organization, Kansas City has “over 61,000 single mothers raising more than 115,000 children.”
Worthy and his mother Nicky Jones understand the challenges facing single-parent households firsthand. Long before he went pro, Jones was a single mother raising Worthy.
“I was a young single mom starting out with Xavier, and there’s a lot of struggles that come with that,” Jones said. “I was just talking with someone about the struggles, trying to keep food on the table, a roof over your head, the lights on.”
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) celebrates after scoring as teammate Travis Kelce (87) watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)(Ed Zurga | AP)
Worthy recalled specific hardships from his childhood.
“The power company shut off our lights for about two months,” Worthy said. “I knew what struggle looked like.”
The Worthy 1s has operated in Austin, Texas, where Worthy attended college, and his hometown of Fresno, California. The Kansas City expansion offers the same eight core programs:
Back2School Grants provide financial support, laptops and resources for mothers returning to school.Financial Empowerment & Literacy Workshop Sessions teach budgeting, credit building and money management skills for single-parent households.Workshop Sessions equip single mothers with tools to strengthen mental, emotional and physical well-being.Youth R.I.S.E. offers mentorship, sports activities and family engagement in schools, juvenile facilities and community spaces.Youth Sports Camps provide skills-based experiences teaching discipline, confidence and teamwork.Community Engagement Luncheons & Brunch Events create spaces for single mothers to connect and support one another.Winter Back2School Coat & Shoe Drives provide new coats and shoes to children from single-parent households.Worthy Spotlight is a verbal affirmation program designed to boost confidence in single-parent families.
Jones said the foundation will provide direct financial assistance through grant-based programs for mothers returning to school and programs for children. Segobia said the foundation addresses key challenges facing single mothers.
“Loneliness and isolation, I think that’s something all mothers experience, but in particular single motherhood can be lonely and isolating,” Segobia said. “That’s one area we look into, how are we building communities of support, communities of hope.”
The foundation plans to expand its youth programming. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, who appeared at a foundation luncheon, said she plans to have Worthy visit the Hilltop Juvenile Detention Center to guide young people.
If you would like to donate and support “The Worthy 1s” mission, click here.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.