Philadelphia – July 10, 2019 – State Sen. Art Haywood (D- Montgomery/ Philadelphia) released the following statement regarding the announcement of Ahead of the Game a basketball league being implemented to combat community violence in Northwest Philadelphia:
“I’d like to thank Will Parks, Darnell Artis, Philadelphia CeaseFire, The Regular Fellows Foundation, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and Elder Harrison for their work to reduce gun violence in Germantown. Providing hope and positive options such as literacy, job opportunities, and recreation will reduce gun violence. I am glad to support these efforts to renew our communities and save our children.”
Ahead of the Game offers life skill workshops and basketball practice to high risk youth ages 18-25 in Northwest Philadelphia. The program is presented by Philadelphia CeaseFire and partners Darnell Parks of the Denver Broncos, Darnell Artis of the Harlem Globetrotters, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and the National Midnight Basketball League. Programming for Ahead of the Game will be offered on Wednesday and Friday evenings July 10-31 from 4-9:00 p.m. at Lonnie Young Recreation Center in Germantown. Registration begins today at 5:00 p.m. at Lonnie Young Recreation Center and for more information, you can contact Marla Davis-Bellamy at 215-806-8493.
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