A Safer Community Starts Here.
The CTG Foundation is centered on creating environments where individuals can feel safe at home and in their communities. Through a series of unique programming, the CTG Foundation builds trust and connections, closing the gap across three pillars – youth mentorship, law enforcement training & development and domestic violence support.
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ABOUT US
The CTG Foundation focuses on three pillars to support communities across the country – youth mentorship programs, law enforcement training and domestic abuse support. Through a variety of training resources, designed specifically for each audience, the CTG Foundation create tailored program to empower participants.
Recent events have disproportionately affected minorities, women and children, and widened the divide between law enforcement and the communities they serve – creating an environment in which the basic right of being safe is increasingly out of reach. The CTG Foundation uniquely approaches the issues from all angles by providing youth mentorship programs that help facilitate conversations and empower students, support law enforcement training by providing new tools to law enforcement officers when interacting with the communities they serve and giving domestic violence survivors skills they need to recognize and escape dangerous situations.
OUR TEAM
The CTG Foundation is led by retired New York Police Department Detective and former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Richard Baker and National Football League retired star Clifton Smith. Together, Baker and Smith are creating open dialogue between law enforcement, city officials and community organizers to create meaningful relationships among the youth in the communities in which they live, work and have served through sports and public service. Additionally, through key experts in their fields, Baker and Smith have deployed critical training programs to help provide support to those who need it most.
Rich Baker is the Founder and CEO of the Close the Gap Foundation. Upon his retirement as a New York Police Department (NYPD) Detective, Rich has dedicated his time to bridging the gap between law enforcement and community, as well as providing support to youth, domestic violence survivors and veterans.
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Following the social unrest of 2020, Rich was inspired to take his passion to the next level with the creation of the CTG Foundation. Rich’s history with the NYPD, which spanned a variety of positions, and his first-hand experience with the community, fuels his desire to empower those whose voices may not be heard and help equip law enforcement with training needed to improve community relations.
Before his career with the NYPD, Rich served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Rich enlisted immediately following the attacks of 9/11 and held a variety of ranks, including multiple deployments to Iraq and other foreign countries.
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Clifton Smith, Jr., is a former American football running back and return specials who played in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League and United Football League.
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Born in Fresno, CA, Clifton attended Fresno State University and was drafted to play baseball by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He chose to follow his passion and pursue a career in the NFL and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie in 2008.
Clifton is the only undrafted rookie to make the Pro Bowl as a running back/punt returner. Youth empowerment through sports and mentorship has been a passion point for Clifton his entire life, as he used sports to help him overcome life’s challenges.
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Rich Baker is the Founder and CEO of the Close the Gap Foundation. Upon his retirement as a New York Police Department (NYPD) Detective, Rich has dedicated his time to bridging the gap between law enforcement and community, as well as providing support to youth, domestic violence survivors and veterans.
Expand
Following the social unrest of 2020, Rich was inspired to take his passion to the next level with the creation of the CTG Foundation. Rich’s history with the NYPD, which spanned a variety of positions, and his first-hand experience with the community, fuels his desire to empower those whose voices may not be heard and help equip law enforcement with training needed to improve community relations.
Before his career with the NYPD, Rich served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Rich enlisted immediately following the attacks of 9/11 and held a variety of ranks, including multiple deployments to Iraq and other foreign countries.
Close
Clifton Smith, Jr., is a former American football running back and return specials who played in the National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League and United Football League.
Expand
Born in Fresno, CA, Clifton attended Fresno State University and was drafted to play baseball by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He chose to follow his passion and pursue a career in the NFL and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted rookie in 2008.
Clifton is the only undrafted rookie to make the Pro Bowl as a running back/punt returner. Youth empowerment through sports and mentorship has been a passion point for Clifton his entire life, as he used sports to help him overcome life’s challenges.
Close
Partners
The CTG Foundation is centered on creating environments where individuals can feel safe at home and in their communities. Through a series of unique programming, the CTG Foundation builds trust and connections, closing the gap in the communities they serve.
