In 1999, The Resurrection Project established the Resurrection Basketball League program to promote healthy and safe summers during a time when gang and street violence was rampant. Since then, the League has evolved into a key initiative that provides needed resources and helps community residents engage with one another, while promoting youth relationship-building and partnerships amongst residents, leaders and stakeholders.
This year, TRP joined Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante, Father Felipe Vaglienty, Minister Alex Martinez, and community residents for the 2016 “Faith and Action: Peace in Pilsen” event in an effort to show presence and solidarity by creating a safer and more peaceful city. “We are with our youth on the blocks of Pilsen –blocks that are considered dangerous– to promote the positive side of our neighborhood,” said a representative of The Resurrection Project.
The Pilsen event series launched on May 27th was the first of many planned for the Third Annual Summer of Faith and Action program. Over 100 young people gathered to build community engagement, play sports, participate in a symbolic Police Roll Call, and take to the streets for a Prayer and Blessing and Peace Walk through blocks dealing with high levels of gun violence. “We want to be a positive neighborhood and have people come together so that there is no violence in our area,” said local student Rufino Salazar.  As important pillars of their community, mothers also raised their voices and called for an end to the violence. Doris Hernandez, a neighborhood mother who experienced the loss of a child, recited an emotional prayer on behalf of all the concerned parents.
In order to promote summers of peace TRP will continue hosting its annual Resurrection Basketball League (RBL). In partnership with LISC, Office of Alderman Danny Solis, The Chicago Police 12^th District Department, the Illinois State Attorney’s Office and other local non-profits, this weekly summer tournament will take over different streets in Pilsen, many of which are considered hot spots for violence. This year’s season kicked off on Friday, July 8^th, and will continue every Friday through August 19^th, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.
2016 Schedule
Friday, July 22^nd – Union League Boys & Girls Club (2157 W. 19^th St.), 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, July 29^th – Dvorak Park (1119 W. Cullerton), 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, August 5^th – Boogie Park (1900 S. Peoria), 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, August 12^th – 19^th and Carpenter, 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, August 19^th – Zocalo, 18^th and Paulina, 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Saturday, August 20 – Hoops City Wide Seward Park