Featured Grant OpportunitySchool Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) (Funding Opportunity) 

Featured Grant OpportunityShare with Youth: NOAA Student Opportunities Database

Featured Grant OpportunityShort Courses in Social Determinants of Health for Research Education in Nursing Research (Funding...

Featured Grant OpportunityResearch on Law Enforcement Responses to Opioid Overdoses (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityComprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) Program (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityRisk and Protective Factors of Family Health and Family Level Interventions (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityPersonnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities--Doctoral...

Featured Grant OpportunityStanding Announcement for Tribal Title IV-E Plan Development Grants (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityProviding Research Education Experiences to Enhance Inclusivity for a Diverse Substance Use and...

Featured Grant OpportunityFY 2024 Research on School-Based Hate Crimes (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityChallenge America (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityResearch and Evaluation on Firearm Violence and Mass Shootings (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityNational Juvenile Court Data Archive (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityGraduate Research Fellowship (Funding Opportunity)

Featured Grant OpportunityCommunity Programs for Outreach and Intervention with Youth and Young Adults at Clinical High Risk...

Featured Grant OpportunityPrint and Disseminate Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials (Funding Opportunity)

## Breadcrumb

            -           Portland Kids Learn about Life and Basketball at the Hoopin' It Up Camp      

# Portland Kids Learn about Life and Basketball at the Hoopin' It Up Camp

Each year, 50 youth participate in Hoopin' it Up, a basketball camp open to youth living in the Hillsdale Terrace and Slavin Court public housing communities in southwest Portland. Three years ago, April Soles, the manager of Hillsdale Terrace, and Officer Tim Evans of the Portland Police Bureau hoped to provide an opportunity for youth to participate in quality summer recreation – something that is often out of reach for these economically challenged families.

In the past three years, the week-long camp has expanded beyond basketball to include a writing component and track and field training. An equally important aim of the program is to teach kids about leadership and decision-making. The GREAT (Gang Resistance Education And Training) Program curriculum is included in the camp, and youth learn life skills. Positive behavior is reinforced and healthy decisions are encouraged.

Youth are coached by volunteer coaches from area basketball teams and police officers. The program began as a partnership between the Housing Authority of Portland, the Portland Police Bureau, and several other community organizations. Recently, Schools Uniting Neighborhoods joined the effort and rented Jackson Middle School to the program for free. "There are many people and organizations that collaborate as sponsors or behind the scenes to make this camp happen,” said April Soles.

Motivational speakers address the campers each day at lunch. One speaker was professional women's basketball player Traci Thirdgill, who grew up living in Hillsdale Terrace. In a letter to the youth, Thirdgill said, "I just want to tell you all that I was one of you. The Hillsdale Terrace lives in me and gave me my start. It was the first place I bounced my basketball, ran sprints on the big field, and where I started to believe. Stay focused, stay positive, and truly believe in yourself. You have only one life and hard work and dedication will always pay off at the end."

### Announcements

Challenge America (Funding Opportunity)

Share with Youth: Become a We Think Twice Insider

Resource: Promoting Resilience and Emotional Health for Children, Youth, & Families with Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)

Resource: Planning Tool for Youth Engagement

Resource: Innovation in OPA Grant Programs

### Feature Article

Healthy Youth Development through Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation

Youth Voices Have Moved to YE4C

Resources to Support Youth Who Have Lost a Caregiver

Dear Colleague Letter: Children Who Have Lost a Caregiver

YE4C Accepting Applications for the Editorial Board

### Federal Links

Youth Advisory Councils

Youth Development Across the Federal Government: A Thought Leader Conversation with Cheri Hoffman

Promoting Positive Adolescent Health Behaviors and Outcomes: Thriving in the 21st Century

YouthLead

Positive Youth Development