Jodi-Juliana Powell

•

Aug 31, 2024, 5:50 PM

•

Updated

More Stories

00:23

Bronx volunteers come together for community cleanup in Pelham Bay

01:41

Bronx family holds candlelight vigil for mother beaten, strangled to death in Manhattan apartment

01:53

‘The Rocking Firefighter.’ Family, FDNY remember Brooklyn firefighter 25 years after 9/11

00:47

Hundreds of cyclists ride from Boston to NYC to honor firefighters killed on 9/11

02:04

From Michelin-star dining to a Bronx train station: How Drawbridge Coffee is building community one cup at a time

00:32

Registration open for NYC's 1st-ever 'Remembrance Ruck' to honor veterans

A program for young men to stay busy over the summer ended in Longwood Saturday with a tournament that showed off their basketball skills.

The annual No Child Left Out was held at Lyons Square Playground.

Organizers said the free year-long program started in an effort to end gang violence in this Longwood community.

Basketball is just one part of the program.

The young men meet with mentors who teach them about financial literacy and help them learn about different trades throughout the year.

A parent told News 12 why she put her son in this program.

“They need to keep programs like these because it keeps the kids out of the streets. That's the number one thing. There’s so many things going on in the streets and in the area. Thiskeeps them safe,” said Ernesa Mozon.

On top of the trophies they played for, students received school supplies and sneakers to get them ready for the upcoming school year.