Resurrection Basketball League
This project's parent organization is The Resurrection Project
It operates in United States
It uses Basketball
More about Resurrection Basketball League
Founded in 1999 by leaders of The Resurrection Project, the Resurrection Basketball League is one way that the organization, in conjunction with community partners and residents, addresses community safety in an innovative way in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Pilsen is a low-income, primarily Latino immigrant neighborhood. Youth here are at a disadvantage for susceptibility to gang involvement and trouble with the law.
A 2006 report Latino youth were committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections at a rate 45% greater than white youth, and were five times more likely than their white counterparts to be locked up for public order offenses, like loitering and graffiti, in state facilities. Gangs and gang violence are a concern for youth and their families alike.
The RBL tackles these concerns by taking up to 100 youth every Friday evening to play basketball in areas considered “hotspots” of gang and violence. Every week a different block hosts the tournament, allowing youth living in areas controlled by different gangs to meet and interact in a safe environment. “Safe spots” involving the basketball tournaments, music, food, art, and fun for entire families replace hot spots for these Friday evenings.