MARK WAHLBERG

Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an oscar nominated actor, film and television producer, and philanthropist. Wahlberg established the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation with his brother James Wahlberg in May 2001, for the purpose of raising and distributing funds to youth service and enrichment programs specifically for at risk inner city youth.

Wahlberg was born in the working class Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of nine children, with siblings Arthur, Jim, Paul, Robert, Tracey, Michelle, Debbie (died in 2003 at age 44), and Donnie. His father was of half Swedish and half Irish ancestry, and his mother is of Irish, English, and French Canadian descent. Wahlberg’s mother, Alma Elaine (née Donnelly), was a bank clerk and nurse’s aide, and Wahlberg’s father, Donald Edward Wahlberg, was a Teamster who worked as a delivery driver.

Growing up in the working class neighborhood of Dorchester, Mass., Mark Wahlberg and his nine siblings spent most afterschool hours at their local Boys & Girls Club. Mark learned from challenges as a teenager and, with the support of community programs and mentors, was able to rise above these, take responsibility for his actions, and achieve his goals.

In 2001, one of Mark’s childhood mentors sought his help to build a new youth center gymnasium for children in the community. Wahlberg not only raised the funds for the facility, but he also made a long-term commitment to help these teens and others across the nation through his Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation. Since then, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars and thousands of hours to support youth programs and raise awareness about the growing high school dropout crisis affecting today’s teens.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – MARK WAHLBERG