Bitty Ball
This project's parent organization is Beyond the Ball
It operates in United States
It uses Basketball and Football (Soccer)
Shortlisted for the
More about Bitty Ball
Our neighborhood of Little Village on the west side of Chicago has struggled with violence because of the normalization of gang culture. The key issue we focus on preventing through Bitty Ball is the accepted negative norms of gang life.
We start at an early age because by the time kids in our neighborhood turn ten, they have become accustomed to the strong presence of gangs in the community. Sadly, they see gangbanging as a normal option for their future. Bitty Ball engages 400 K-2 graders each year with a curriculum that teaches basketball skills, core values, and community building.
While kids learn about basketball and team dynamics, they also begin to understand community dynamics, and how individuals’ actions can have a positive impact. Kids develop a positive community culture which empowers them to reject the normalization of gang culture. Kids are given opportunities to carry on that positive culture by eventually becoming coaches and through community service projects.