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 NYer Of The Week
Hoops And Leaders Basketball Camp Provides Mentors For Young Kids
August 04, 2006
NY1's latest New Yorkers of the Week are teaching city kids life lessons on the basketball court. Rebecca Spitz filed this report.
"When I grow up I want to be in the NBA - the New York Knicks," says 13-year-old camper Edward Estrella.
He and dozens of other young kids participated in the Hoops and Leaders Basketball Camp. They not only aspire to be basketball stars but also to have someone to look up to.
"I wanted to meet new people and friends and mentors so I could show my basketball skills to other people, and I can get more of a challenge from the others kids that's in the program and the mentors," says camper Kevin Edwards.
Co-Director Aaron Dworkin founded the camp in 2001, and it's co-sponsored by the city Parks Department and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. It's a free, two-week, intensive youth leadership and mentoring program held at a rec center in the West Village, and run by all volunteers.
Dworkin says he was inspired by something he read.
"Years ago Bill Bradley wrote a book called 'Values of the Game' where he talked about all the leadership and life lessons you could learn through basketball," he says. "We created a whole curriculum and said let's create a basketball camp teaching leadership skills, but bringing mentors together with younger guys to be role models."
Justin Weir came to Hoops and Leaders as a mentor two years ago. His dedication to the program moved him up the ranks, and he's now co-director.
"I've had such great mentors in my own life so I understood the importance," he says. "The same way that I give advice to some of my mentees, a minute later I'm calling one of my mentors to ask them for advice or just input in decisions I have to make in my life."
The camp goes beyond the court. The kids and mentors listen to speakers from various professions, engage in leadership activities, and break bread together.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Senior Director Andre Pabon says the hope is for the mentors to become big brothers to one of these kids.
"A lot of these youth is waiting to be matched to mentors, and hopefully the bond that they form here will then continue beyond the two weeks that they commit here," he says.
"I get so much for myself working with young people," says mentor Dax-Devlon Ross. "I get to stay hip a little while longer, I get somebody to play basketball with, and I get somebody to actually play a role in their lives as they develop and mature."
So, for teaching these rising stars the right moves both on and off the court, while providing the opportunity to forge long-lasting relationships, we congratulate Aaron Dworkin and Justin Weir for making our team as our New Yorkers of the Week.
For more information on how to become a Big Brother, Big Sister, call (212) 686-2042 or visit www.hoopsandleaders.org.
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