Positivity On The Southside

This month alone, both CNN and the New York Times published stories about the Southside’s soaring murder rates. The violence gets so much attention that people forget about the great things that are happening in the city but residents are looking to change that. Organizations like the Southside YMCA’s Youth Basketball Association (YBA) are in place to help bring neighborhoods back from the chokehold of violence.

For almost 40 years, the Youth Basketball Association has worked hard to provide kids with a safe environment where they can learn the importance of teamwork and respect through the game of basketball.  Clarence Cox, the association’s founding father, says, “Positive programs like this don’t get enough funding.”

This leaves a lot of responsibility on the parents of the children. Snacks, uniforms, and are just a few things that would normally be taken care of through a budget. Instead, some YBA parents have to come out of pocket for these things. But, they do it willingly.

“It’s all for him,” said Brian Foster, pointing at his 8-year-old son.

Foster’s son has been playing for the Pee-Wee league all year and he says he’s seen “great changes” in his son’s attitude and academic life.  YBA teaches the young athletes three key principles.

1.     Honesty

2.     Responsibility

3.     Respect

The hallways of the gym are adorned with inspirational quotes and of course their three principles. The gym where the kids play just feels like a positive place. When you walk in you know something great happens there. This is exactly what coaches want for the kids.

“We really nurture our kids. They need something positive to do and they need to do something that they love. That’s what I’m here for. I’ve been coaching for almost twenty years now and I love it!” said Angela Menson, a head coach.

So why isn’t this receiving any coverage? The kids love it, the parents love it and they get large turnouts at their games. The children are even given scholarships to college upon completion of the program. So why don’t people know about this?

“It’s just a shame that no one cares enough to broadcast these kids’ hard work,” said Mya Davis.

Davis is a long time supporter of the YBA. Although she has no children of her own, she just likes to be apart of something positive in her community.

Looks like the big bad Southside is not so bad after all. Good things still happen everyday.