NEW YORK – Essence Carson of the New York Liberty has been awarded the June WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm for her charitable efforts and contributions throughout the tri-state area.

Carson recently met with contestants from the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s youth talent show at Radio City Music Hall.  The annual event featured more than 80 children from partner organizations affiliated with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit working to brighten the lives of children and families afflicted with everything from extreme poverty to illness.

As part of WNBA Cares Week, Carson led a youth basketball clinic in her hometown of Paterson, N.J.  Along with her Liberty teammates, Carson also participated in several Pride Week events to raise funds for LGBT youth, including a chef tasting event in support of drug-free living and alcohol abuse prevention, the New York Liberty Pride Night after party and the Center Garden Party.  In addition, Carson visited pediatric patients at Hospital for Special Surgery, where she had undergone ACL surgery in 2013.  Carson spent time in the hospital’s Lerner Children’s Pavilion, playing games, taking photos and signing autographs.

“It is an honor to receive the Community Assist Award for a second time, especially because a lot of the work that I have done in the community has been with kids,” said Carson. “I want to be a role model, showing kids that there is plenty of opportunity out there no matter what your circumstances may be. It is important to be the change that you want to see in the world, and provide encouragement.”

The WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm is awarded monthly during the season to the player that best reflects the WNBA’s passion to make a difference in the community.  In recognition of Carson’s efforts, the WNBA and State Farm will donate $7,500 to the Garden of Dreams Foundation.  Please visit wnba.com/statefarmcommunityassist for more information on the award and its recipients.