On Wed., July 17, 2019, 13 youth participants gathered at the Karsh Center for their first day of KYCC Youth Basketball Skills Camp. This new program, developed by Clinical Services’ Metro/API PnA Program in collaboration with the Karsh Center, began in mid-July and ended on Sept. 18, 2019. 

The program was designed to help youth foster social and emotional competency through basketball. Children and youth who are socially and emotionally competent have healthy self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, better conflict resolution skills and communication skills. Sports offers children an opportunity to see modeled and practiced core principles such as teamwork, discipline, respect and perseverance by their coach and peer athletes.

The Karsh Center, located across the street from KYCC’s Administrative office, provided their rooftop recreation space for the camp’s weekly sessions. 

Coach Jermaine Combs, Youth Services Program Assistant and a certified NCAA coach, started every session with a huddle reviewing the program values of respect, teamwork, perseverance, responsibility and hard work. Youth formed new friendships and parents were connected to additional resources available through KYCC’s Youth and Clinical Services.

“The moms we’ve met through the program have told us that quality, low-cost youth programming in Koreatown are difficult to find. Many moms reported their children were initially reluctant to attend the first session, but nearly every student returned and finished the program,” said Eric Chung, KYCC Clinical Services Counselor.

KYCC staff hope to engage and connect with more families in our community through youth programs like the Youth Basketball Skills Camp. Being a point of contact for Koreatown families means KYCC staff can better identify areas of need and refer them to our Clinical case management services if needed. Many families who participated in basketball camp also enrolled their children in our other youth programs, such as Improv and Art.  

The next 10-week Youth Basketball Skills Camp will begin October 17, 2019 and will end on November 21, 2019. For more information on how to enroll for the next camp, please contact Eric Chung at (213) 365-7400 Ext. 5509 or email echung@kyccla.org.