WS Chronicle

A nonprofit is having trouble with its transport van, which it uses to take youth in after-school activities to and from home. It seeks help from the community.

Hoops4L.Y.F.E is a nonprofit organization that provides after school programs that seeks to empower and redirect at-risk youth in a community-based after school program. The program attempts to engage youth in academics, increased exposure to a variety of activities and provide those students with a safe place.

The organization involves the youth in a number of activities and community events, such as basketball tournaments and skate parties. 

With the van out of commission, Hoops4L.Y.F.E. director Brittany Ward says the organization has lost five or six children because the group does not have reliable transportation to get to after school care.  She says this is a major concern for her because her program is designed to give youth an outlet to release their energy in a positive way.

“Throughout the year we service around 65 kids and since the van and went down, we have not been able to provide services to all of the kids we normally do,” Ward said.  “Many of the kids in the program rely heavily on the van as a means of transportation.”

She gives thanks those in the community who have stepped up to assist with their needs. 

Ward says they need a new or used 15 passenger van to get them from point A to point B.  She says they have a few events and fundraisers coming up in the next few months to help assist with their efforts.  Currently Hoops4L.Y.F.E has about $2,500 saved up and the average van runs between $15,000 and $20,000.

For anyone looking to assist the organization in its efforts to fund a new van, call 336-231-7968 or contact Hoops4L.Y.F.E on Facebook or Instagram.