About Us
Since 1995, the Richmond Midnight Basketball League has been working to meet the recreational and societal needs of underserved youth and young adults. We offer youth (ages 11 -17) and young adults (ages 18-28) a safe place to play basketball and exposure to positive values. Basketball is the "hook" that brings in this hard-to-reach target group. By linking personal self-improvement contracts, mandatory workshops, and counseling and referrals, with the opportunity to play competitive basketball, RMBL provides a creative solution for dealing with community issues. It is one of the most effective programs for this targeted population.
Objective
Our objective is to help our participants become responsible and productive members of society. We ask that they work with us to create a better future for themselves and their community, by signing and adhering to personal self-improvement contracts. We stress education and require players who have dropped out of school to get the GED as a condition of playing in our league. We encourage those still in school to continue their education. For those who need it, we provide tutoring. For players with an appropriate education, we offer job training and help in finding employment. Before games and other basketball activities, participants attend mandatory workshops that provide information on areas of concern: health, employment, education, family relationships, etc. We offer follow-up and referrals to those seeking additional help. RMBL players are expected to make a contribution to the community through improvement projects and other service.
RMBL in the Richmond Community
Our partnerships include over 40 agencies that form the Friends of Prevention Coalition. The Coalition and workshop facilitators are the conduit for linking our participants with organizations and individuals who provide direct services. Business and local organizations are linked to Midnight Basketball League participants through team sponsorship, on-the-job activities, and recognition events. We work closely with the public schools, the courts, social services agencies, the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority and the Richmond Police Department. We actively seek collaborators and volunteers in our common effort to improve Richmond .
Success
The Richmond program has received local, national, and international recognition. In 1997, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials awarded RMBL the National Award of Merit in direct client and resident services. In September 1999, former Mayor Timothy Kaine and community leaders saluted the Richmond Midnight Basketball League with a proclamation attesting to its effectiveness in strengthening the community and reaching at-risk youth and young adults. In 2000, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, with headquarters in London, supported only one program in the US:
The Richmond Midnight Basketball League
In 2004, the Richmond Midnight Basketball League was recognized received the Office of Chaplaincy at the University of Richmond for extraordinary service to the community. In 2005, the Defenders for Freedom and Justice recognized the Richmond Midnight Basketball League for mixing cultural and social education with basketball and mentorship.
|
|
