It’s spring time, YouthBuild! Here are the highlights of the Massachusetts
YouthBuild Coalition’s 5th annual Basketball Tournament. Sponsored by
YouthBuild Fall River, eight teams made up from mixed squads from YouthBuild
Worcester, Cambridge, Quincy, Lowell, Lawrence, New Bedford, Brockton, Fall
River, Springfield, and Boston challenged each other in a double elimination
basketball tournament. Kicking of the day at 10:00am, State Representative David
Sullivan was awarded legislator of the year award for his great leadership and
strong support of YouthBuild programs.

This year’s theme represented good sportsmanship, hard work, dedication, and
team work. As the tournament went on teammates and the crowd cheered for
the players. Coach Charlie Parker from YouthBuild Just-A-Start in Cambridge
came in first place. Second place went to Coach Michael Quigley from TRA
YouthBuild Quincy. The Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition is so proud of
the positive example YouthBuild players showed. Carrying on this basketball
tournament theme of sportsmanship, hard work, dedication, and team work will
definitely take you forward in life. Congratulations YouthBuild and keep up the
good work.

On Monday February 27th ten YouthBuild programs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts gathered together at the State House to educate lawmakers about the value of YouthBuild programs. YouthBuild assist a large portion of Massachusetts undeserved youth. The group is requesting funding of $2,770,500 for YouthBuild. Without continuous funding it will be very difficult for many programs to continue their dedicated work. 

On this day students shared their experiences and recited with their classmates their YouthBuild pledges. Juan Ortiz, student of YouthBuild Boston shared with everyone a beautiful reflective poem of a dark time in his life were the path he was taking lead right to jail. Once YouthBuild came into his life he was able to make a profound change for the better. 

Key influential representatives such as Representative Byron Rushing and Gloria Fox spoke about the importance of youth speaking up for what is right and important in our lives. They want to see them to succeed and have opportunities just as many others have. 

We hope by being active participants in our state government and speaking up on important issues such as YouthBuild funding that YouthBuild will be granted its request. Please take a moment to see what a great impact YouthBuild is showing.

Hello YouthBuild Members. Today I want to take the time to share with you all the memories of hard work, dedication, and passion to serve our communities. This slide show represents each of your programs and what we stand for. Congratulations on a job well done at YouthBuild's Day at the State House. Go YouthBuild!