Come Party With Us! It's The livest Party This side of Niagara Falls DJ Kay Love On The 1's& 2's Str8 Live You Don't wanna Miss It
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Black Light Lights Out Glow In The Dark Pt.2 Niagara Falls Edition
OCTOBER 27TH COME PARTY WITH US! INFO ON THE FLYERS COME HAVE A GOOD TIME YOU WANNA RIOT TAKE THAT SHIT UP THE BLOCK ALL ABOUT HAVIN' FUN DRAMA FREE ZONE FOR MORE INFO CALL TRINI:(646)240-5237 OR DUTCH:(646)346-4793
Come Party With Us! It's The livest Party This side of Niagara Falls DJ Kay Love On The 1's& 2's Str8 Live You Don't wanna Miss It
Come Party With Us! It's The livest Party This side of Niagara Falls DJ Kay Love On The 1's& 2's Str8 Live You Don't wanna Miss It
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
H.O.O.P's R 4 Kids
In Recent Months H.O.O.P DREAMS INC! has really been putting in work in their community recently in the niagara falls gazette and Fresh Off of 5 Consecutive wins in Youth Advantage Buffalo Tournament This is what they've still had time to do....
September 14, 2012 As written By The Niagara Gazette
Couple to make hoop dreams come true
Niagara Gazette — Uniforms aren’t necessary to play basketball, but having them certainly helps to define a team’s identity.
For the Cataract City Basketball League’s Trojans, uniforms are one of many needs the team is seeking to fill.
“There aren’t a lot of things for these kids to do besides basketball,” said Andre Jant, who with his fiance, Ilian Lewis, coaches and manages the team. The pair has big dreams for the team’s future. “I think they’re really good, and they have a lot of potential,” said Lewis. She and Jant are in the process of incorporating a non-profit group called “Hoop Dreams,” which, in addition to basketball, will be a mentorship and community service program.
“It’s about doing things on and off the court,” Jant said.
Jant became involved with the team after his nephew, a member of the Trojans, mentioned that they were searching for another coach.
“I really enjoy helping kids,” he said. “I’ve been doing it since I was 12.”
Lewis says she and Jant took over the team in April because the felt it wasn’t receiving the attention and exposure it deserved.
“We said ‘let’s try to help these kids out, let’s see what can come from it,” she said.
Through their efforts, the team has grown to more than 20 players in two divisions, with players ranging in age from 13 to 25.
Basketball practice is held three times a week at Legends Park. The older players practice on Mon
day, while the younger division practices on Tuesday. On Wednesdays, the two divisions take to the court together for an all-team scrimmage.
Though the park’s outdoor courts provide a feasible playing area for the summer, the team is looking for a more permanent location, especially with colder temperatures looming in the not-too-distant future.
According to Jant, the most attractive option is the currently dormant 13th Street gym. They are applying for a grant from the city of Niagara Falls to cover some of the costs associated with reopening and operating the gym.
The team is also utilizing every fundraising opportunity it can, including selling drinks and candy, holding a cook-off, and having a team fundraising party. Still, much more money is needed.
No uniforms and the lack of an indoor playing facility are only a couple of the challenges the team is facing. There are many opportunities for basketball tournaments in Western New York - some that even have prize money - but the team lacks a form of suitable transportation. Some of the players show up to practice wearing shoes that aren’t suitable for basketball, because that’s all they have. And a recent tournament held on their “home court” at Legends Park had to be cut short because a thunderstorm rolled in.
“We’re hoping and praying that somebody sponsors us,” said Jant, who said that additional funds would allow the team to travel to tournaments in more distant locations such as Cleveland and New York City. “The more tournaments, the better,” he said.
Jant and Lewis make it clear that a player’s actions in the community are just as important as they are at the basketball court. The Hoop Dreams program aims to instill important character virtues in the players by giving back to the community they live in.
“We’re trying to open a community outreach center,” said Jant.
Players currently volunteer at the Community Missions Soup Kitchen and will be working with a senior center in the future. Education is also of high value to the team, as players will need over a 75 average in order to be able to play in games
For most players, basketball is more than just a game, it’s a passion. Many are on the courts almost every day, dedicating themselves to being a better basketball players than they were the month, week, or even the day before. Jant and Lewis hope that, through Hoop Dreams, the participants will not only become better basketball players, but better people as well.
The Trojans practice every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Legends Park in Niagara Falls. For more information, or to sponsor the team, email them at hoopdreamsinc@yahoo.com.
For the Cataract City Basketball League’s Trojans, uniforms are one of many needs the team is seeking to fill.
“There aren’t a lot of things for these kids to do besides basketball,” said Andre Jant, who with his fiance, Ilian Lewis, coaches and manages the team. The pair has big dreams for the team’s future. “I think they’re really good, and they have a lot of potential,” said Lewis. She and Jant are in the process of incorporating a non-profit group called “Hoop Dreams,” which, in addition to basketball, will be a mentorship and community service program.
“It’s about doing things on and off the court,” Jant said.
Jant became involved with the team after his nephew, a member of the Trojans, mentioned that they were searching for another coach.
“I really enjoy helping kids,” he said. “I’ve been doing it since I was 12.”
Lewis says she and Jant took over the team in April because the felt it wasn’t receiving the attention and exposure it deserved.
“We said ‘let’s try to help these kids out, let’s see what can come from it,” she said.
Through their efforts, the team has grown to more than 20 players in two divisions, with players ranging in age from 13 to 25.
Basketball practice is held three times a week at Legends Park. The older players practice on Mon
day, while the younger division practices on Tuesday. On Wednesdays, the two divisions take to the court together for an all-team scrimmage.
According to Jant, the most attractive option is the currently dormant 13th Street gym. They are applying for a grant from the city of Niagara Falls to cover some of the costs associated with reopening and operating the gym.
The team is also utilizing every fundraising opportunity it can, including selling drinks and candy, holding a cook-off, and having a team fundraising party. Still, much more money is needed.
“We’re hoping and praying that somebody sponsors us,” said Jant, who said that additional funds would allow the team to travel to tournaments in more distant locations such as Cleveland and New York City. “The more tournaments, the better,” he said.
Jant and Lewis make it clear that a player’s actions in the community are just as important as they are at the basketball court. The Hoop Dreams program aims to instill important character virtues in the players by giving back to the community they live in.
“We’re trying to open a community outreach center,” said Jant.
Players currently volunteer at the Community Missions Soup Kitchen and will be working with a senior center in the future. Education is also of high value to the team, as players will need over a 75 average in order to be able to play in games
For most players, basketball is more than just a game, it’s a passion. Many are on the courts almost every day, dedicating themselves to being a better basketball players than they were the month, week, or even the day before. Jant and Lewis hope that, through Hoop Dreams, the participants will not only become better basketball players, but better people as well.
The Trojans practice every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Legends Park in Niagara Falls. For more information, or to sponsor the team, email them at hoopdreamsinc@yahoo.com.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
A Helping Hand
You never really recognize the struggle until your placed in that situation everyone has their own definition of what the term "Struggle" is but to give back with no re-payment in mind besides that oof learning something is to understand a bad and sometime uncontrolable situation.
This Week Coach Andre Jant Scheduled for his team to go to The Community Mission Located on 1517 Buffalo avenue, Niagara Falls NY 14301. The Boy's Got a chance to see what it looks like first hand to not be able to provide what you would like to for yourself and children.So they wanted to see how they can give back. We also got a chance to sit down with some of the boys to see exactly what knowledge they gained from this experience.
2pm was the time the team returned to homebase and as i sat outside to greet them I was able to get a few statements from them. James "Pops" Davis (photoed above) is in H.O.O.P Dreams 13-14 Division he seemed excited when asked how was his experience
Pops: Well I learned that being selfish is a gesture of inapperciation today was bitter sweet for me I learned to help and give back but i also learned what it was to not have it so good, not because you don't want to but because sometimes life put you in a place where everything is out of your control it was hard for me to watch some of these people not being able to have the things my mom gives me especially the kids that i saw that were babies it was really hard
Dutch Monroe: So how did you feel after helping? what were some of the expressions on the peoples faces?
Pop: To be honest with you we helped fold the clothes that people dropped off and helped server food and to see some of those kids and their parents when they saw that people cared enough to donate clothes and stuff ! awe man it was amazing these people appreciate so much and they have so much love for life.
Dutch Monroe: Would you ever go back just to give a little bit of your time?
Pop: Myself as well as the rest of the team both 13-14 and 15-18 we decided that we want to go back because all these people want is a little be of our time so as a tema we've decided to give some of our clothes and canned goods to the mission and try to help out as much as we can.
We can expect alot from these guys, Making time to help other's during their summer vacation but not minding and with no obligation this is extremely commendable not alot of youth feel so strongly about a cause that is very much so a probblem in our commnity more than half of Our states missions and homeless shelters are filled with people fighting for a chance to get make their lives better and if we can help why not.
"Only a Live For other's is a Life Worth Whie" - Albert Einstein-
If your interested in donating Clothes, Canned goods or even Volunteering your time at the Community mission Please Contact Site Supervisor Ms. Wanda @ (716)285-3403
and she would be more than happy to guide you thru the process
If you not in Niagara Falls Whatever state you may be located get on the web and google some missions,soup kitchens and homeless shelters in your state or town and get involved the initiative is on us to to change the current state of the world we're in and we can definitely change it one hand at a time.
Swo0sh
The past weeks have been incredible for the O.P.H.C Trojans. they've definitely been on their grind practicing and preparing rigorously every week for The Weekends Cataract City Basketball Tournament We got a chance to catch some footage of one game for the 13-14 Division.
check out the above clip so you can actually see some of what they put down on the court.
If you Just so happen to want to check out one of the games the playoff's are coming up August 19th and 26th 2012 and you can definitely stop by! grab a seat at legends and watch these boys work... Shout out To Big E sponsor and Owner Of the Cataract City Basketball tournament Single Handedly providing a chance for all of the teams to show off their skills.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
DREAM! WISH! IMAGINE!
WE HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH CAOCH DRE' AS THE TEAM SO AFFECTIONATELY CALLS HIM AND HE GAVE US A LITTLE INSIGHT ON WHATS IN STORE FOR THE O.P.H.C TROJANS.
MS. MONROE: BEING YOUR FIANCE AND ASSISTANT I DONT ALWAYS GET TO KNOW WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE FOR THE BOYS BECAUSE YOUR BRAIN IS ALWAYS WORKING A MILE PER MINUTE (LOL) AND IT'S HARD FOR ME TO CATCH UP! WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU SEE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOYS?
DRE: ALOT OF POTENTIAL, I SEE THAT IF THEY WORK HARD THEY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE TO DO THINGS THAT 80% OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS ARE TELLING THEM THEY CAN'T DO IN OTHER WORDS BASED ON STATISTICS AND THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITY PROMOTES NEGATIVITY THEY WOULD PROBABLY FALL PREY TO THE ENVIRONMENT IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARENTS THEY HAVE AND THE LOVE FOR THE POSITIVE THINGS! LIKE THIS SPORT THAT THEY COME HERE TO PLAY 5 DAYS A WEEK.
MS. MONROE: IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO MAINTAIN A LESS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHILDREN BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES WE WANT TO HELP NURTURE THEM DO YOU AT TIMES FIND THIS TO BE CONFLICTING?
DRE: I FEEL AS THOUGH IF THE PARENTS ALLOWS US TO COACH THEM AND HELP OUT IT'S ONLY NATURAL TO GIVE THEM THE EXTRA LOVE AND SUPPORT AND AS MUCH OF IT AS YOU CAN IT'S ONLY JUST THAT YOU LIVE BY THE SAYING IT TAKES A VILLAGE BECAUSE IN ALL HONESTY IT DOES YOU BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THESE KIDS AND THE PARTICIPATING FAMILIES WHY NOT SHARE AND CELEBRATE IN THEIR SUCCESS AND TRIUMPHS AND OTHER JOYS, WHY NOT COMFORT AND BE THERE TO CO-PARENT SO TO SPEAK WHEN THEY ARE FEELING DOWN AND NEED A SHOULDER, WE'RE ALL HERE FOR THAT SOLE PURPOSE AND WHATEVER WAY WE CAN HELP IN! WHY NOT....
MS. MONROE: THAT'S HONESTLY SO BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE ALOT OF TIMES WE DON'T SEE PEOPLE SHOWING ANY ACTS OF KINDNESS OR EVEN GENUINELY LOVING AND WANTING TO HELP A PERSON OR PEOPLE THEY BARELY EVEN KNOW FOR REASONS OTHER THAN HELPING THEMSELVES, WHY DID YOU START COACHING AND AND WHAT SPARKED THE NEED TO WANT TO SET OUT AND DO THIS ON YOUR OWN?
MS. MONROE: LOL SO I SEE MR. MODEST HUH; WHAT DO YOU SEE THIS ACTUALLY BECOMING IN THE FUTURE ?
DRE: HONESTLY MY HOPE IS TO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH THE HELP OF SOME GOVERNMENT FUNDING TURN THIS INTO AN URBAN OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR NOT ONLY YOUTH BUT ADULTS. I LOVE HELPING PEOPLE AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO, SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN DEFINITEELY REACH THE EARS AND HEARTS OF PEOPLE AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN I MEAN THERE'S NOT ALOT TO DO IN NIAGARA FALLS SO THAT LEAVES ROOM FOR ERROR WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO YOUTH. WE DON'T WANT TO LET OURS CONTINUE SLIPPING THRU THE CRACKS YOU KNOW WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A PEOPLE AND SHOW OUR KIDS THERE'S A BETTER WAY, SEE I'M NOT PROMISING THE NBA BUT WHAT I CAN GUARRANTEE IS BETTER MEN FOR OUR WOMAN BETTER SONS FOR OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND BETTER FATHER'S FOR OUR CHILDREN I MEAN IF I HAVE MY WAY IT WILL BE LIKE THAT I WANT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO THINK BEFORE THEY ACT AND KNOW IF YOU THINK POSTIVE YOU CAN DREAM BIG! THE BIGGER THE DREAM THE BETTER THE POSSIBILITY BUT I CANT CHANGE YOU! YOU HAVE TO WANT IT I CAN MEET YOU HALF WAY BUT THE OTHER 50% IS LEFT UP TO YOU.
MS. MONROE: IS THIS A CO-ED PROGRAM?
DRE: IT'S FOR WHOMEVER WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THEY HAVE THE WNBA SO WHY CAN'T I HAVE MY GIRL TEAM (LOL)
MS. MONORE: WHAT ARE THE AGE LIMITS? AND I KNOW THAT THIS SUMMER THEY'VE BEEN PLAYING IN THE NIAGARA FALLS CATARCT GAMES CAN WEE GET THE SCHEDULES JUST IN CASE PEOPLE WANNA COME OUT AND WATCH?
MS. MONROE: WELL THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU FOR WHAT YOUR DOING I KNOW YOU HAVE PRACTICE IN A FEW SO GO HEAD GET OUTTA HERE AND I'LL SEE YOU FOR DINNER...
DRE: YOUR WELCOME MY LOVE.
ONE THING I LEARNED FROM THIS INTERVIEW IS NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU THINK YOU KNOW A PERSON YOU REALLY DON'T ANDRE IS MY FIANCE AND I HAD KNOW CLUE HIS HEART WAS THIS BIG AND MY SISTER L'TOINE SHE'S AMAZING I KNEW THEY WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE BUT I NEVER KNEW THAT THEIR WANTING TO HELP WAS ALMOST A NEED FOR THEM AND IT SEEMS THAT THEIR LOVE FOR WANTING MAKE A DIFFERENCE WAS THE SPARK OF IT ALL
"IN ORDER TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF SUCCESS SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO JUST KEEP WALKING:NO MATTER WHAT YOU HEAR " - MS. BIANCA & MR. HOWARD -( NIAGARA FALLS HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER)
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