Over 400 youth from 19 Chicago neighborhoods shut down Columbus Drive on Saturday, August 17th, for a basketball tournament that signals the biggest year of LISC Chicago’s Hoops in the Hood program yet. For 13 years, community organizations across Chicago have united through basketball to empower residents to reclaim their streets and promote peace. Each year, hundreds of young athletes ages 8-19 play in the summer-long leagues that blend street basketball with other recreational activities designed to develop youth leadership skills and teamwork while fostering civic engagement and community building. Designed to literally take back the streets from gangs and violence, the violence-prevention program reclaims public spaces across the city and more than 26,000 Chicago youth have participated. LISC Chicago, the Chicago Park District, the City of Chicago, the 1st Police District, Aldermen, State Farm and youth athletes from across Chicago will come together for the 13th Annual Hoops in the Hood Cross-City Finale—including two new community partners from Roseland/Pullman and Cabrini Green.

Photo Credit: LISC Chicago