Media Release - 4th Annual Basketball Tournament Brings Together Youth and Police
Monday, August 17, 2015
I felt comfortable and helpful in this environment
For immediate release
August 2015
MISSISSAUGA – Nexus Youth Services (NYS) is hosting its 4th annual basketball tournament on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Celebration Square in Mississauga. Beginning at 3 p.m. with a 3-point shootout, the event will run until 8 p.m. and includes a dunk-off contest, 5-on-5 tournament, free Halal food and prizes.
Launched in 2012, the basketball tournament quickly gained community support. The City of Mississauga coordinated space for the tournament and its Corporate Security personnel were among the first participants. Since then, the event has grown to include players from Peel Regional Police and Mississauga Transit.
“Our goal is help reduce some of the tension that may exist between youth, police and security,” says NYS Youth Engagement Worker and event organizer Darren Dennie. “By mixing up the players on all teams, we build a sense of community.” Dennie says that since the tournament’s inception, he’s seen the impact of improved relations between youth and authority figures. “There’s less stigma attached to reaching out to the police or security for help when you’ve interacted with them in a safe, fun space like a basketball tournament.”
Most of the volunteers charged with running the event are youth who access NYS’ services and see the basketball tournament as an opportunity to have fun and give back. The tournament also relies on community support, including local businesses and NYS partner organizations. Now in its fourth year, the tournament has proven to be a popular event, bringing together a diverse group of players, spectators and community partners to celebrate the end of a great summer, and the commencement of a fresh, strong new school year.
NYS creates opportunities for youth by providing high quality services that are inclusive and responsive to the needs and voices of youth ages 14 to 24. It is an accredited, community-based, publicly funded, mental health agency serving youth living in Peel region. As a youth-serving agency, NYS is committed to youth engagement practice and is dedicated to creating a community that values the diverse voices of youth and young adults through action, partnership and growth.
NYS helps more than 2,000 youth annually through its Community Counselling Program and the Nexus Youth Centre (NYC), located in the Mississauga Central Library. NYC is a fully accessible drop-in centre, providing mental health counselling services, daily activities and group programs to youth with no referral required.
For more information on NYS programs and services, call 905-795-3518 or visit www.nexusyouth.ca.
Media enquiries:
Alexandra Macgregor, Communications Specialist – Social Media
(905) 795-3500 ext. 2297
< back to all news
August 2015
MISSISSAUGA – Nexus Youth Services (NYS) is hosting its 4th annual basketball tournament on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Celebration Square in Mississauga. Beginning at 3 p.m. with a 3-point shootout, the event will run until 8 p.m. and includes a dunk-off contest, 5-on-5 tournament, free Halal food and prizes.
Launched in 2012, the basketball tournament quickly gained community support. The City of Mississauga coordinated space for the tournament and its Corporate Security personnel were among the first participants. Since then, the event has grown to include players from Peel Regional Police and Mississauga Transit.
“Our goal is help reduce some of the tension that may exist between youth, police and security,” says NYS Youth Engagement Worker and event organizer Darren Dennie. “By mixing up the players on all teams, we build a sense of community.” Dennie says that since the tournament’s inception, he’s seen the impact of improved relations between youth and authority figures. “There’s less stigma attached to reaching out to the police or security for help when you’ve interacted with them in a safe, fun space like a basketball tournament.”
Most of the volunteers charged with running the event are youth who access NYS’ services and see the basketball tournament as an opportunity to have fun and give back. The tournament also relies on community support, including local businesses and NYS partner organizations. Now in its fourth year, the tournament has proven to be a popular event, bringing together a diverse group of players, spectators and community partners to celebrate the end of a great summer, and the commencement of a fresh, strong new school year.
NYS creates opportunities for youth by providing high quality services that are inclusive and responsive to the needs and voices of youth ages 14 to 24. It is an accredited, community-based, publicly funded, mental health agency serving youth living in Peel region. As a youth-serving agency, NYS is committed to youth engagement practice and is dedicated to creating a community that values the diverse voices of youth and young adults through action, partnership and growth.
NYS helps more than 2,000 youth annually through its Community Counselling Program and the Nexus Youth Centre (NYC), located in the Mississauga Central Library. NYC is a fully accessible drop-in centre, providing mental health counselling services, daily activities and group programs to youth with no referral required.
For more information on NYS programs and services, call 905-795-3518 or visit www.nexusyouth.ca.
Media enquiries:
Alexandra Macgregor, Communications Specialist – Social Media
(905) 795-3500 ext. 2297
< back to all news