Bennington Sports Foundation 2022 Activities

Deshawn Hamlet, Director of Battle for the Future basketball program knows kids want to participate, but often can’t.  With financial assistance from the BSF, hisprogram was able to reach out and pay enrollment fees and provide transportation for nine children in their summer programs and were able to extend resources for the fall programs, as well.  About the new program, Hamlet said “I work with kids every day, so I know how important sports can be for their health and development. I also know kids who could really benefit by being in our program but have neither the money nor transportation to make that happen.  I’m so grateful for the Bennington Sports Foundation because they are providing the resources allowing me to bring in more kids. This is a win-win for Battle of the Future Basketball and for the kids and their families who are now able to be involved.”

Kayla Becker, Director of the Bennington BFYMCA, welcomed the opportunity to think out of the box to find new kids for YMCA programs. The summer camp at the Bennington YMCA has seen tremendous growth over the past several years, but an ongoing issue is how to keep teens involved when they age out of camp. With assistance from the BSF, Kayla increased their leadership-in-training program, offering teens leadership and mentorship opportunities among the campers and new relationships with peers and counselors. To keep the youth leaders coming to the YMCA once school began in September, the YMCA offers meals after school to address food insecurity and to engage the teens in developing a youth center. In total, 24 new children benefitted from these programs and their participation is ongoing. Ms. Becker said “We’re so glad the BSF was created. It’s providing funding so we can attract new kids to get involved and stay involved in our programs.”