Ciara and Russell Wilson are teaching their children that success comes with a responsibility to give back.
In a recent interview with Town & Country, the couple opened up about their work with the Why Not You Foundation and the ways they encourage their kids to support people in need.
For Ciara, those values begin with helping her children stay grounded and appreciate what they have.
“Our kids are way more set than we ever were at their age, so it’s like, how can you keep things in perspective for them? How can you kind of keep them humble?” she said.
Each year before Christmas, the singer reminds her children that they need to give away some of their toys—or Santa Claus will not be able to come.
She said her 6-year-old son, Win, recently showed that the lesson was beginning to resonate.
“Mom, I want to get rid of these toys, and I want to give them to someone who needs them,” he told her on his own.
Ciara and Wilson, who are preparing to welcome their fifth child, also hope to include their children in the family’s broader philanthropic work.
“We say that we want to empower youth to lead with the ‘Why not you?’ attitude, and obviously that applies directly to our kids in our house,” Ciara said.
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“When they have that mentality, there’s no limit to what they can do. There’s no limit to their dreams. If they’re going to help continue this mission, they have to be a part of it.”
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Philanthropy was also an early point of connection for the couple. During their first date in 2015, Ciara told Wilson that she dreamed of creating a charitable foundation. Wilson had already started the Why Not You Foundation the year before.
“Well,” he replied, “we should do that together.”
Following their 2016 wedding, Ciara became more deeply involved with the organization, and the pair now serve as co-founders.
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The Why Not You Foundation focuses on children’s health and education, working with hospitals and groups including Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The organization also supports food assistance initiatives for families.
One of its latest contributions was a $3 million donation to Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York City, helping create therapeutic spaces for young patients and their families.