CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The Sixers Youth Foundation awarded a six-figure grant to support the Camden County Police Department's community engagement and youth fitness programs.
The $120,000 grant from the nonprofit to the Camden Community Partnership will be used to help expand the police department's Village Initiative, which is designed to give youth a safe space to play basketball during open gym and resource nights at facilities like the Salvation Army Kroc Center.
"We have challenging times for our children,” said Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen. “That's why it's important for community leaders to make sure that our youth have opportunities, and what we're doing today continues to raise the bar for opportunities for our kids."
Part of the Village Initiative includes the popular Hoop It Up program, which takes place every Thursday and Friday night. Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez says the program has made an impact on crime.
“On Friday nights, one of the most violent nights in Camden City, since starting this initiative, crime is almost non-existent involving our youth,” said Rodriguez.
Luis Cosme, 18, attends regularly. “Some people can't afford certain things,” he said. “It's OK because all you gotta do is come to open gym, come on out as you are. You can enjoy the free food, basketball, drinks, and free haircuts if you need one.”
Camden County Commissioners Director Louis Cappelli says this is part of the county’s community policing initiative. “Engaging the community and then building the relationships throughout the community is what's really best at fighting crime,” he said.
The Philadelphia 76ers have invested in Camden since they moved their training facility to the city in 2015, according to CEO Laura Price.
“It's in the core mission to create safe spaces where our children have the opportunity to play, learn and connect with each other,” she said, “and the youth that will benefit from the Village Initiative program are our future leaders.”