Macon-Bibb, GA

05/27/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2022 08:30

Late Night Basketball returns to Macon-Bibb as part of #MaconViolencePrevention

The Community Empowerment Center has brought Late Night Basketball back to Macon-Bibb, thanks to the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program.

Games are held from 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. every Friday and Saturday at the Bloomfield-Gilead Recreation Center (1931 Rocky Creek Road), and people can register by visiting www.cecmacon.org. Teams are open to people ages 16 and up, and they must first attend a 45-minute class before playing.

Reverend Jason McLendon with the Center and MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom held a press conference on Friday, May 20 to announce the success of an initial tournament a few weeks prior and to invite children ages 16 and up to register for the growing teams.

"We wanted to provide our young people a wholesome weekend evening and night activity that would get them physical exercise and teach them teamwork and how to get along with others," says Reverend Jason McClendon with the Center. "We wanted this to be more than just a chance to play ball; we wanted to help teach our youth how to be successful when they're not on the court, as well."

That's why the Center has the slogan, "No Workshop, No Jump Shot." Prior to the game, all participants must take a 45-minute class focusing on team building, mentoring, soft skills, communication skills, and job skills.

"We want to address crime in our neighborhoods in multiple ways, and I want to thank Reverend McClendon and his team for holding these classes and games every weekend," says MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom. "Not only are we giving them something to do at night when so much else is closed, we are also giving them the skills to be successful and even help improve their neighborhoods."