Summer Basketball League

Summer Basketball League is comprised of 12 teams with an enrollment for the 2005 season of 140 youth, ages 7-15. The CAPPA Summer Basketball League is the vehicle that delivers quality mentoring and supports positive communication between adults and children. Through the expertise of league coaches each participant learns the value of sportsmanship and teamwork. Each coach/mentor becomes a part of the player's unofficial extended family. It takes a community to raise a child and the Summer Basketball League is apart of that community. The bar of expectation is high and each player must attend workshops, demonstrate good sportsmanship and discipline and also participate in volunteer community service projects in order to be eligible to play on game day. Coaches instill pride and raise self-esteem in each member of the team. Teaching the benefits of organized sports is a long standing Williamsport tradition and The CAPPA Summer Basketball League is no exception. The program takes place at Penns Sports Complex located at Penn Vale, courtesy of Lycoming Housing Authority. The leagues teams are from Williamsport, South Williamsport and Loyalsock and Montoursville communities. The program runs June through August. For the past three years the program has been executed by community volunteers i.e. project director, administrative assistant, league coordinator, coaches/mentors. A fall 2005 basketball expansion program is scheduled to take place in collaboration with Williamsport Area School District at two middle schools and will provide an extended day incentive and opportunity for students attending their schools' after school homework and tutoring programs.

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Young Artists In Action

Positive and constructive activities have been proven effective in reducing at-risk behavior and creating opportunity. Training in the arts can provide this outlet. Young Artists in Action, a performing arts initiative targets those youth in elementary through high school that are not sports oriented and may not have found their niche in other school activities. Participants involved in Young Artists in Action receive hands on experience in recording music, artist development, and other activities related to the preparation and distribution of today's most popular music genres. Working closely with music producers, established artists, and creative arts coaches, we hope to captivate and inspire each participant's innate individual creative style thereby boosting self-esteem. We hope to motivate and encourage each participant toward positive self-expression and the personal introspection necessary for each individual to discover their own personal self-worth. The program is held at CAPPA's new creative and performing arts studio/technology center. The facility is located at Penn Vale, courtesy of Lycoming Housing Authority.

The Annual Every Child Counts Young Artists in Action Performing Artists Showcase utilizes the expertise of local area performing arts professionals. Participants work along with performing arts professionals and volunteers to develop their emerging talent. This program is done in collaboration with the Williamsport Area School District and Loyalsock Township School District. The Annual Performing Artist Showcase is televised via Suscom cable.

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Summer Employment Initiative

The Summer Employment Initiative recruits young men and women ages 15 -18 from low and moderate-income families to provide summer employment opportunities. The initiative works in partnership with the local YMCA to provide summer employment opportunities for high school and college students working as summer camp counselors, food service workers and pool staff. Working in collaboration with the YMCA, CAPPA refers suitable candidates for employment and provides necessary follow-up to reinforce good work ethics. The program is an innovative opportunity for young people to experience the gratification that comes from being a successful and productive member of the community.

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Double Dutch League/Drill Team

Double Dutch League and a Dance/Drill Team for girls between the ages of 7 and 18 will be added during the fall 2005. This serves as an extended day incentive and opportunity for students attending Williamsport Area and Loyalsock Township School Districts' after school programs. Youth will be given the opportunity to practice drill and rope skipping exercise in preparation for team positions at national and international events. The project director and community volunteers will execute this initiative.

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Youth Empowerment Workshop Series

The Youth Empowerment Workshop Series is a prerequisite for participation in all Youth Intervention and Development Project Programs. Youth Empowerment Workshops Series is coordinated by a Masters Degree certified school counselor and community volunteers.

Youth Empowerment Workshop Series Includes:

• Self-Esteem Training
• Conflict resolution training
• Gang prevention
• Anti- Bullying Program including cyber-bullying
• Anger and Stress Management
• Dealing with Peer Pressure Module
• HIV/Aids Awareness Training
• Drug Alcohol and Tobacco Awareness and Prevention

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Volunteer Community Service Program

Volunteer Community Service Program is designed to promote civic responsibility for CAPPA participants. Listed are the volunteer community service projects completed to date:

• Clean Up and Awareness Day
• American Red Cross Blood Drive information distribution
• Provided clean-up for The Annual Community Juneteenth Celebration
• Provided support in the winterization of Camp Victory, a camp for special needs children
• Provided landscaping and beautification services for the Kennedy King Public Housing Project

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Mentorship

Students from Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Bloomsburg University, parents and community volunteers mentor and support CAPPA Youth Intervention and Development Project programs and participants.

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