January 29 – Mayor Byron W. Brown, joined by the City of Buffalo Department of Community Services, the Buffalo Police Department, the North East Basketball Club and Buffalo Police Athletic League of Buffalo (PAL), held a recognition ceremony today for the participants who completed an intense 6 week basketball training and life skills development camp in Buffalo. Under Mayor Brown’s direction, ‘Game Changers’ started in 2013. Since then, six free camps have been offered to city youth, giving them a safe place to play ball and learn other life skills lessons. The program concluded tonight with a final celebration and graduation ceremony at the Delavan Grider Community Center. “This program is much more than a basketball program. The 200 participants met community leaders, elected officials, educators, and entrepreneurs,” Mayor Brown said. “Through Game Changers, these young men and women will be introduced to role models, and given a vision of hope and a reminder that through dedication and perseverance, anything is possible.”
Since 2013, the program has seen over 1000 boys and girls attend the Friday evening sessions. PAL is currently funding this important initiative. The latest Game Changers program was held on six consecutive Friday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., running from December 1, 2017 through January 5, 2018, at the Delavan/Grider Community Center and The Belle Community Center. Each session included a “game changing” message, including Public Service, Character Development, Empowered Youth and Peer to Peer.
For more information about the Game Changers program contact the City of Buffalo Department of Community Services at (716) 851-4001.