RVA League for Safer Streets

Since 2017, Virginia LISC has been partnering with RVA League for Safer Streets and the Richmond Police Department to run a basketball league for young men ages 17-28 with teams from Richmond’s high-crime communities. We provided a $15k grant which funded the pilot session during the summer of 2017, and through LISC Safety, Walmart funding of $50,000 supported the growth of the league to offer sessions in 2018. Currently, LISC Safety and LISC AmeriCorps with a small matching grant from the local Office of the Attorney General is funding a full time AmeriCorps member for the league through December 2019. sustainability.

Impact: Since its’ inception, the league has served over 500 young men across the City of Richmond and has contributed to the reduction of crime within the public housing communities and the City of Richmond as a whole. There have been 7+ league sessions ranging from holiday tournaments to full-scale 12-week leagues. In addition, the program has expanded workshop options and community partnerships that range from metal health and substance abuse support to job training, fatherhood, conflict resolution and more.