WINTER 2020 NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUEPURPOSE

PROGRAMS

UPDATES

SITES

OUR MISSIONThe purpose of Chicago Westside Police and Youth Sports Conference is to establish the first “all westside” police and youth sports conference in Chicago’s history to energize urban baseball and other athletic programs such as basketball, archery, and in 2020, fencing and volleyball.

SCHEDULE

STORIES

PARTNERS

CONTRIBUTIONS

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OUR PURPOSEThe purpose is also to promote safe activities for children and their families in high-crime, under-resourced

areas. The most unique feature of the sports conference is it’s “Full Court Press Initiative” that combines the

unifi ed and collaborative efforts of local police, churches, and community organizations to promote positive,

transforming change. Boys and girls can learn about leadership, accountability, organization, preparation,

confl ict resolution and teamwork in a tangible and practical way. With this same logic, adults who take on

the role of coach and mentor practice the concepts of collaboration. The hope is as all parties work together

successfully in a project like this, the same concept can be applied to positively address inequality, poverty

and gun violence. In addition to quality athletic instruction, areas highlighted include health and wellness,

education, mentoring and athletic excellence. This initiative is about much more than offering free sports, it

is a catalyst for transformation on the Westside. And of course, the conference wants to get the community

together and have some fun!

OUR PROGRAMS

ARCHERY I BASEBALL I BASKETBALL

UPDATESThe basketball season tipped off on Tuesday, November 19 in 5 of the 6 sites. Hundreds of children, coaches and mentors from three Police Districts (11th, 15th, and 25th) representing the neighborhoods of Austin, North Austin, and Garfi eld Park participated. The North Lawndale site (10th District) started its season Tuesday, November 26.

THANK YOU TO OUR SITE SPONSORS FOR HOSTING! By the Hand Club for Kids, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Christ the King College Prep, LaFollette Park, Lawndale Christian, Melody STEM School, Moore Park, Salvation Army Harbor Light, and UCAN.

We are still looking for coach/mentors, local community organizations, nonprofi ts, and church partnerships for our basketball program. Interested in participating, but not sure if you qualify? If you can smile and en-courage our student athletes, you qualify. If you are interested please register at chicagwestsidesports.org or email us with any questions.

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sign up today at chicagowestsidesports.org

OUR STORIES

One of the most heartwarming parts of this entire program HAS to be how all of the uniforms and equipment has been DONATED. Going into this season knowing that there will be up to 525 student athletes participating, it was daunting wondering how each of the teams would be equipped and uniformed. Then the partners stepped up!

First, the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation and its FISLL Project came forward donating ALL the uniforms for the teams. And these are not cheap uniforms but CUSTOM, reversible jerseys and shorts. The FISLL Project didn’t stop there. They also FLEW their team of coaching trainers led by Dennis Carter out to Chicago to train and encourage our coach-es. But that’s still not all of their contribution – the FISLL Project also donated their curriculum, Allan Houston’s book, Life in 3D , AND shirts for the coaches! THANK YOU ALLAN HOUSTON AND THE FISLL PROJECT!

Second, GoodSports stepped it up by donating ALL the basketballs the conference needs. At

their annual Legends Gala, GoodSports took the time to have a special donation specifically to fund the equipment needs of our basketball program. This money was then used to donate over 300 NEW basketballs and two VERY NICE portable hoops. In addition, GoodSports also donated hand pumps, and hundreds of elbow sleeves and knee supports. THANK YOU GOODSPORTS!

Third, Tina Sernett and The Sports Shed really helped out by making sure the basketball program had enough basketballs, and everything else that was needed for the coaching bags.

This included items such as training disc cones, agility ladders, handpumps and inflation needles, whistles, scorebooks, whiteboards. THANK YOU TINA AND THE SPORTS SHED!

The only items not available for the student athletes are basketball shoes, but we are hopeful that an additional sponsor will step up and help provide these for some, if not all, of our players.

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OUR PARTNERS & THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS

JOIN THE CONFERENCE TODAY! REGISTRATION FOR VOLUNTEERS AND PARTICIPANTS FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE: www.chicagowestsidesports.org. For further questions, please email: chicagowestsidesports@gmail.com

BBF Family Services Coaching

Beyond Athletics Coaching Expert Basketball Instruction

By the Hand Club for Kids Coaching plus gym

Christ the King College Prep Gym and meeting space

Chicago Park District Gyms at Moore Park and LaFollette Park

Chicago Police Department

Coaching

City of Refuge - Chicago Organization of sports conference and uniforms and equipment

Chicago Jesuit Academy Coaching plus gym

Chicago West Bible Church Coaching

Good Sports 306 basketballsHundreds of elbow and knee sleeves 2 portable hoops

Hope Community ChurchCoaching

Lawndale Community Church Coaching

Lively Stone Baptist Church Coaching

Melody STEM School Gym space and coaching

Salvation Army Harbor Light Gym space and hot meals

The FISLL Project Uniforms Coach training

The Sports Shed Basketballs and equipment

UCAN Chicago Gym Space

Westside Health Authority Good Neighbor Campaign Coaching