Amidst Rising Gun Violence, Young3 Provides Safe Haven for Boys
Amidst Rising Gun Violence, Young3 Turns Basketball Into A Mental Health Lifeline For Inner-City Youth
Source: Alessandro Biascioli / Getty
Young3, a professional 3-on-3 basketball league and community outreach division of the BIG3 founded by Ice Cube, is working to uplift inner-city communities that face an increase of gun violence during the summer months.
Dajuan Summers and Garlon Green who serve as coaches of the basketball league provide a safe space for the young boys to focus on their mental health while working on confidence, self-belief, and teamwork. In an interview with ABC News, Summers spoke on the importance of getting the kids to a level where they know that they can achieve whatever they put their mind to.
“Getting kids to this level, at this grassroots level, is so important for their memories so they believe in themselves, and they can always know that their dreams are possible,” he said.
SEE ALSO: How To Perform Mental Health Screenings At Home
Reflecting on his childhood, Summers highlighted the positive influence basketball had on his life, opening doors that ultimately led him to become a role model for young aspiring basketball players.
“I know for me, growing up here in Baltimore, we didn’t have all the resources that we would have liked to have. As I started getting better at basketball, it started opening up better opportunities for myself,” Summers explained.
According to data pulled from the Gun Violence Archive, gun violence increases during the warmer months. In 2023, teens ages 12-17 experienced a significant rise in gunfire incidents, from 396 in January to 516 in June. This year, 341 teens in this age group were injured by gunfire in January, compared to 406 in June.
“The research lens supports that when we see higher temperatures, we tend to see more aggressive behavior, a correlation between things like feelings or irritability, frustration, that can lead to violent behavior,” Thaddeus Johnson, senior fellow with the Council on Criminal Justice, noted.
Incorporating these programs throughout inner cities not only offer a safe haven and a space for young kids to be kids, but they also create an environment for growth and community.
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