Montreal organizations ask for $18,000 in donations for youth violence prevention basketball tournament

Two Montreal organizations are asking for community donations to support an upcoming basketball tournament at the end of the month dedicated to youth violence prevention.

The Jamaican Association of Montreal (JAM) and the Center for Research and Action on Race Relations (CRARR) say they need $18,000 to cover the costs of the two-day basketball tournament.

“It's everything from medals to food and supplies,” says JAM First Vice President Sharon Nelson.

According to a press release, groups will need about 1,000 bottles of water, 300 to 400 soda cans and juice bottles, 100 pizzas, 400 sandwiches, 300 to 400 pieces of fruit and up to 200 bags of chips and crackers, not to mention the paper. plates and cups.

“We expect more than 600 participants for this event. The event we held in August had over 200 and had five teams,” Nelson said.

After the success of its first tournament in August 2023, Nelson says this upcoming tournament will have more organizations with 22 teams participating in the tournament.

According to a press release, the Montreal police force and cadets will also participate in the tournament. Urgences-sante, STM and RCMP will be participating with volunteers to help the event and develop stronger bonds with the youth and their families in the perspective of developing partnerships against violence.

“Being part of a team, you have to introduce some kind of discipline, and it's a way to stay healthy because you're moving, you're active, and it gives young people a purpose because they contribute to it,” says Omir Morgan, chairman of the JAM youth committee.

CRARR community engagement officer Veronica Galavis says she hopes to address knife violence during the tournament, an issue Galavis says they see more of.

“We're seeing more and more violence every day in the West Island, on the east side, in places where we didn't know how to monitor before and didn't see a pattern, and now we're getting stronger. informed,” Galavis said.

The event will also honor several homegrown basketball stars from the Black community. Their names will be announced closer to the date of the event. The event will be attended by representatives from all three levels of government, including the Montreal Police Chief, sports organizations such as the Montreal Alliance and the Montreal Toundra, and the diplomatic community.

“The goal is to create a secure network between non-profit organizations in the city. Networks connected to institutions that work with victims and youth at risk,” Galavis said.

The tournament will be held on February 24th from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm and on February 25th from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm at the Cegep du Vieux Montréal.

“It's going to be a lot of fun. It will be a great competition. A lot of sweat is shed on the basketball court. But it's all under the heading of unity,” Nelson said.