GOSO’s
first annual Hoops Against Violence Basketball Tournament, co-hosted by Stand Against Violence East Harlem, saw incredible community participation and has been featured in Harlem World. The article is reproduced below:
The first annual Hoops Against Violence event this weekend was a great Harlem community success attended by over 300 people.
7-12 year-old children with Jahmal Brooks (center) of the Brooklyn Nets Team Hype, who stopped by to put on an acrobatic half-time show!
Post-prison reentry program Getting Out and Staying Out (GOSO) and Stand Against Violence East Harlem (SAVE) hosted a successful first Hoops Against Violence tournament attended by more than 300 Harlem youth on Saturday. New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was on hand and pledged to continue working with GOSO and SAVE to help East Harlem, Diana Ayala gave a moving speech about the effects gun violence can have on a community, and NBA Cares Ambassador Felipe Lopez helped GOSO participants get ready with a pre-game pep talk.
The winning team from the GOSO vs. GOSO game, celebrating their victory!
The kids were also joined by the Brooklyn Nets Team Type for an acrobatic dance performance, and fun was had by all as the community cam together for a day of excitement, athletics, food, music and teamwork to raise awareness against violence.
GOSO and SAVE participants and GOSO President and CEO Mark Goldsmith, had the chance to hear from Diana Ayala (center) who attended the tournament.
SAVE East Harlem, including program manager Omar Jackson (third from right), loved hearing from New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito who has supported their mission for many years.
New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito spoke to the crowd, including GOSO President and CEO Mark Goldsmith (right).
NBA Cares Ambassador Felipe Lopez gave a motivational talk during a pre-game huddle with Getting Out and Staying Out and Stand Against Violence East Harlem participants.