Hudson County Commissioners Approve Funds For Instructional Basketball Camps in Jersey City, Bayonne & Hoboken

The Hudson County Board of Commissioners have approved $45,187.94 in funds

for the Boys and Girls Club to run an Instructional Basketball Program in Mercer Park,

Bayonne, Washington Park in Jersey City and 14th Street Viaduct Park in Hoboken.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County serve more than 2,000 youths ages 5-21

annually in Jersey City and Hoboken.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County administer programs such as Power Hour for

homework assistance, tutoring to Career Launch, SMART Girls, Manhood, martial arts,

UPS Road Code to computer coding, AAU Basketball, Music Production, Robotics,

character development, Triple Play, Healthy Habits, Keystone leadership and community

service club for teens.

The program will incorporate basketball skill development, provided by the Boys and

Girls Club Travel Team coaches and Club Basketball Alumni. The coaches will conduct

basketball clinics including strength, conditioning, shooting, ball handling, passing,

rebounding, and defense skills to groups divided by age and ability. The Hudson County

Sheriff’s Department will provide officers, not just security, to participate in the

basketball program and build relationships with youth in the community.

                                                                                                                              The Jersey City Housing Authority for many years provided teams to participate on travel teams and basketball leagues. They provided 45 teams involving 650 youths from throughout the Jersey City Housing Authority.

The Hudson County Outdoor Summer Basketball League believes that the participants

will develop and sustain positive relationships with others, improve conflict resolution

skills, foster teamwork, promote healthy lifestyles to prevent obesity, reduce juvenile

delinquency, promote a safe and healthy environment for youth and families.

The grant award will be utilized to implement and oversee an instructional basketball

program for 180 youths, ages 8-14, from Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning

on July 6th and ending on August 13th for a total of 29 days.

The Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County, located at 225 Morris Boulevard in Jersey City, has the staffing with the appropriate expertise and resources to run such a

basketball program.  Commission Chairman Anthony Vainieri and the Board of Commissioners are committed to providing the necessary financial support and social services needed to assist the youth of Hudson County excel, not only in this basketball program, but also with the choices they make in life.

                                                                                                                              The commissioners believe that the young people need to reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.