Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E. holds community day event
Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E founder Brittany Ward (back left) poses with some of the kids from her program during her community day.
Brittany Ward has worked tirelessly over the years to expand the reach of her nonprofit Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E. Last Saturday, Aug. 22, Ward held the fifth annual community day for Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E.
The day included free food and drinks, a bounce house, a roundtable to discuss community issues, and assistance for those in need of help for rent.
“We are helping the community by showing all of the resources we can provide as far as rent and utility assistance, different programming such as remote learning and our virtual academy,” said Ward. “Today we are going to host a community conversation and if you haven’t been to a Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E community day and taken part in the community conversation, it is a real conversation where we talk about identifying problems and solutions we want to bring to the table.
“The last community day the mayor was here and we went through the same process where, after the event, we actually gave him a report of the problems and solutions that were said. I am looking for programs to be resident led, because far too many times we have programs that come from foundations and not the residents. Right now, we want to hear from people who live in these communities about what they want to see, especially in the Northeast Ward.”
Ward wanted to emphasize that this was a family event designed for everyone from the oldest to the youngest in the family to come out and enjoy.
“We have a DJ and we will have a dance group out here,” she said. “It’s a family day that we want to use to help provide unity in our community.”
Ward said she understands the world is headed toward a digital platform, so that was the main reason she wanted to include the virtual academy into her program.
“As the world and education is evolving, programs have to evolve as well,” she said about the virtual academy. “Being that we had an afterschool and summer enrichment program, we are basically adapting to what is going on in the school system. Also, more programs are going to roll out for homeschooled students, because a lot of my students are opting out of the school system.”
Ward is excited about expanding her footprint in the community, but acknowledges there is more work to be done.
“It’s everything, but I can’t wait for those first doctors, lawyers or community leaders to come out of Hoops 4 L.Y.F.E., so my work is not done and I have yet to see the fruits of my labor, so to speak,” Ward said about her nonprofit.
