Partner Spotlight: Oakland Midnight Basketball
ABOUT OAKLAND MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL
We are incredibly proud to partner with Oakland Midnight Basketball! The Oakland Midnight Basketball League is a violence-reduction and youth development program, that is designed to: (1) provide a safe activity for players and attendees during hours when shootings increase in Oakland; (2) connect players and attendees to helpful resources and services in the community; and (3) foster positive relationships between players, their peers, and adult mentors.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OAKLAND MIDNIGHT BASKETBALL
THE PROGRAM
The program encompasses more than just basketball! Learn more about each of the components of the program:
BASKETBALL
Youth and young adults ages 16-25 play in weekly basketball games held between the hours of 9pm and 1am. Players are assigned to one of 12-16 teams and play in two divisions. Each team is comprised of 10 players and one coach.
PLAYER WORKSHOPS
Each week, players participate in a 1-hour life skills workshop before their game. Workshops are intended to connect players to local resources that can assist them outside the league. Workshop topics include employment, legal services, community violence, and financial literacy.
RESOURCE FAIRS
Each 8-week league hosts two resource fairs – one focused on employment and one open to all community resource providers. Organizations host booths on an open court and connect with players and spectators throughout the night.
FREE FOOD
A series of food trucks provide free food to players and spectators each night. Players and spectators receive a food ticket upon entry to the gym that is redeemable for one free meal.
PLAYER STATISTICS
Graduates of Tech Exposure and Access through Mentoring (TEAM), a local program designed to mentor youth through sports analytics, track box-score statistics for players in each game and upload player statistics to the league website.
LYFT RIDES
Players and their families have access to Lyft rides to and from Soldiertown free of charge. Players request rides through the TeamSnap app, and league staff use the Lyft concierge service to schedule and pay for rides.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Although the Summer 2020 season is currently postponed due to COVID-19, the Oakland Police Activities League is actively involved in serving the East Oakland community in which many of our players live through the distribution of food and personal protective equipment. Any donations of food and personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer) from community partners would be greatly appreciated during this time of extreme need.
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