Steph Curry joins Kaepernick's #10for10 charitable pledge, becomes second Warrior to participate

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Stephen Curry became the second Warrior to join Colin Kaepernick’s $10,000 for 10-days initiative. 

Kaepernick publicized this week that the remaining $100,000 of his million-dollar charitable pledge would be spread out across 10 consecutive days with as many different recipients.  High-profile friends will be choosing the organization and joining in on the donations, matching dollar-for-dollar. 

Curry teamed with Kaepernick to send a combined $20,000 to United Playaz, Kaepernick announced Friday. The San Francisco based organization focuses on youth development and violence prevention. United Playaz serves about 75-100 inmates a year with its message reaching 500 children. 

"At first, I didn't believe it," said Rudy Corpuz, Jr. who founded United Playaz, 23 years ago. The 44-year-old and former convicted felon is grateful for Kap and Curry's gift.

"It would go to help out brothers who [are] coming home from prison, their re-entry... lifers coming home from prison. To give them the opportunity to navigate and get involved more with society," said Corpuz, who helps the former inmates find housing and careers. 

David Monroe was released from San Quentin prison 14 months ago.

"In 1997 I was incarcerated for second degree murder," said David Monroe. "I was 15-years-old at the time, they tried me as an adult."

After 19 years behind bars, Monroe now has a job with United Playaz, working with youth.

He gives talks to students about how his decision to enter a gang led him down a dark path.

"When we're here with these kids now and we talk to them and share our stories then the 'why' comes out, it's like... it was meant for somebody to experience that so that they don't have to, you know?" said Monroe. 

"Kids are like magic, they're healing the hearts of these gentlemen who are coming home," said Corpuz. He believes when former inmates see what a positive effect they can have on youth, they are empowered by that responsibility.

"It makes it 100 times more worth it to stay out," said Corpuz.

At age 35, Monroe knows he can't change the past, but he hopes to change others' lives for the better.

“I think it’s amazingly important and powerful what Colin is doing – putting his money where his mouth is and actually reaching out to the community with the resources he has,” Curry said in a video on Twitter. “I wanted to be involved to be able to help support the United Playaz foundation out in San Francisco, who are providing resources and a sense of direction for the youth in San Francisco.”

Warriors forward Kevin Durant helped Kaepernick kick off day one on Wednesday with a donation to Silicon Valley De-Bug, a San Jose organization dedicated to community-based justice work. 

Actor Jesse Williams teamed with Kaepernick Thursday to contribute $20,000 to Advancement project, a Washington D.C. based multi-racial civil rights organization. 

Kaepernick issued his commitment to donate $1 million to charities following a protest against police brutality and racial injustice where he took a knee during the national anthem of a 2016 preseason game while playing for the 49ers. Kaepernick entered free agency after the 2016 season and was not picked up by any teams. 

When #10for10 concludes, Kaepernick’s charitable efforts will have reached over 40 organizations. And his range has been vast, from providing food for famine areas of Somalia to promoting black female empowerment, and now circling back to the Bay Area, where he played his entire professional career. 

“I appreciate Colin being able to help me support the Bay Area,” Curry said. “Keep doing what you’re doing, man.”

KTVU reporter Tara Moriarty contributed to this report