Midnight Basketball takes another shot
Also, Project Access names Provider of the Month; library hosts Geneaology for Night-Owls
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Giving Youth Strategies to Thrive, also known as G.Y.S.T., will host its second Midnight Basketball event on Fri., April 21. The event will be held will be held at UAW Local 685, 929 E Hoffer St.
The first ever Midnight Basketball in the city of Kokomo on Feb. 19 was a tremendous success. More than 80 kids and 20 adults attended, which created a fun, loving, and lively atmosphere.
The event consisted of a live DJ on the 1’s and 2’s. There were games such as giant Jenga, Uno, Mancala; a selfie and TikTok station for youth to do dances and take pictures to create memories; cornhole for parents and kids to compete against one another; and of course, there was basketball which was the main attraction.
Dozens of kids lined the court to spectate every game that night. Also provided was food. Pizza was the main dish for the youth and parents that evening and was gone in no time flat.
This Midnight Basketball event will host more fun on Friday and promises not to disappoint for kids aged 12-19. G.Y.S.T. truly wants to continue to replicate and build on the previous event which seemed to be a hit with Kokomo teenagers.
Kimberly Blake, a Kokomo resident who took notice of the excitement the event has created said, “It makes me want to be a teenager again, just so I can hang out. It’s great that G.Y.S.T. can provide a space like that for the youth.”
Blake makes a great point; the days of regular youth hangout spots are a thing of the past. Opportunities like this are appreciated on such a grand level because outside of school dances, these types of social events which create genuine relationships, fruitful programming, and wholesome fun are few and far between anymore.
G.Y.S.T encourages all who are within the qualifying age range to come and be a part of the event on Friday night. Deanza Duncan, Assistant Director of G.Y.S.T. stated, “The youth should know that they make the program, they are the program. The things they want to see and do is up to them, they should be present to express their thoughts and opinions to us.”
Parents are encouraged to come into the building with their children to sign documentation before they leave.
Midnight Basketball doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. It is settling into consistent programming for the non-profit organization G.Y.S.T., and seeks to become a staple in the Kokomo community.
Project Access names Provider of the Month
Project Access Howard County has named DeCleene Optometry as its May Provider of the Month.
Drs. DeCleene and their wonderful staff have been in business for 25 plus years and have partnered with Project Access for the past 10 years by supporting the eye program for Howard County school children. The organization extends its thanks.
Project Access Howard County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives access to services provided for the total healthcare of the uninsured and the underinsured residents of Howard County.
Project Access provides support, education, and access to healthcare for the residents of Howard County, including: doctor-donated care, dentist-donated care, medication assistance, community health assessments, health insurance education, an eyeglasses program, a hearing aid program, a medical equipment and supplies program, and the intern/extern/volunteer program.
Genealogy for Night Owls returns to KHCPL
Serious genealogy researchers and those looking to try their hand at searching through their family tree and local history are invited to the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library’s Genealogy for Night Owls.
The program takes place after the library’s open hours, allowing those interested in genealogy and local history to dig deeper into the library’s resources. Attendees can access library databases like AncestryLibraryEdition, NewspaperArchive, AfricanAmericanHeritage and more.
The event is open to all levels of family hunting experience, and staff are available to help throughout the evening. A buffet dinner and snacks will be available, and attendees will have the opportunity to win door prizes.
Genealogy for Night Owls takes place from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, April 28 at KHCPL Main. The cost to attend is $15, which can be paid in the department. Reservations must be made by Friday, April 21.
For more information, visit khcpl.org.