My name is Kakada Pen and I am a Night Hoops coach for the Langara Family YMCA.  I am writing for those who might not know what Night Hoops is all about, how parents are involved in the program, and what I have learned from the players and the program.  Night Hoops is a non-profit organization that allows youth ages 13-18 years old (boys and girls) to play basketball Friday and Saturday evenings. Its main purpose is to target youth at risk to keep them off the streets and to project their energy into playing good textbook basketball.  Although playing basketball in a safe and controlled environment is night hoops main pitch, night hoops also provides workshops that are strongly enforced by the coordinators for coaches to do. These workshop topics range from respect, teamwork, and what family means to you?  Aside from basketball and workshops, these youth that come to this program sacrifice their weekend, show great commitment and show great leadership for their peers that look up to them.

In my time with Night Hoops, I have worked with two sites where extra involvement with youth workers and parents have makes this organization run as smooth as it has been over the years.  Chiho, a youth worker I have worked with at Britannia Community Center, during games always makes sure all the youth meet up at the site and Chiho will always give them rides to the games that are played away.  As well as taking the players there and back, Chiho also supervises and closes the facility during practices to have the youth continue playing basketball in a safe environment.  Where I coach now, I have a parent name Ed, who plays a very big part for the Night Hoops organization.  Not only that, his son plays for the senior boys Langara YMCA. Ed also referees for Night Hoops.  Ed has also supported the team by coming to majority of the games and has driven our team to a game at Burnaby Youth Custody Services where he also had to referee.  There are no words to say how much I appreciate the things these two individuals have done for me and the program.

This program has not only been a life lesson for youth in the community, it also has taught me how to appreciate these at risk youth and their future.  My workshops are not for just the players, it also gives me an opportunity to bond with them and start a relationship of trust.  I always let everyone have a say no matter of socio-economic status or gender.  I respect everyone around me and have learned that to get respect – you have to earn it and that is what Night Hoops has given me.

I recommend this program to all communities and cities that don’t have it because it is what we look to teach our youth today. We want them to be leaders, work as a team, and be positive role models for the future of our communities.