ONE CITY Basketball League
The One City Basketball League is a Chicago-based peace league that operates in partnership with 28 community-based violence prevention organizations. The league, which services young men aged 16 to 25, pairs financial compensation with mandatory off-court programming ranging from financial literacy, to trauma-informed conflict resolution and job readiness. The league also provides free basketball clinics open to all Chicago youth.
By combining the thrill of competitive basketball with programming that builds critical life skills, One City strives to address the root causes of violence and empower participants to make positive life choices, all while treating them as true working professionals, providing stipends to all players and coaches on a per-game basis. In 2023 alone, the program consisted of over 450 participants.
The program culminates with a celebratory event, The One City Leadership Summit (Sponsored by Rivers Gives), that connects participants with potential employers and mentors, as well as continued programming.
The program focuses on:
Skill Development: Provide a platform for young athletes to refine their basketball skills, instilling discipline, teamwork, and leadership qualities.
Mentorship: Implement mentorship initiatives connecting participants with positive role models, guiding them in both sportsmanship and life decisions.
Life Skills: Conduct educational workshops addressing crucial topics such as conflict resolution, communication skills, financial literacy and anger management, equipping participants with tools to navigate challenges.
Community Engagement: Cultivate a sense of community by organizing events, volunteering opportunities and collaborative projects, encouraging participants to contribute positively to their surroundings and engage with their communities.
Violence Prevention: Actively promote non-violence and conflict resolution through workshops, discussions, and awareness campaigns, with the goal of reducing the incidence of violence within and beyond One City.
Financial Empowerment: Provide financial incentives for participants, emphasizing the importance of responsibility, work ethic and long-term planning. The league also works with local banking partners to establish financial literacy programming that strives to teach the importance of having a bank account, while also assisting each participant with establishing their own.
Inclusivity: Ensure that One City Basketball is inclusive, welcoming participants from diverse backgrounds and creating an environment that celebrates differences and promotes unity.
By integrating basketball with comprehensive personal development initiatives, One City aspires to be a transformative influence in the lives of young individuals, contributing significantly to the establishment of a safer and more harmonious society.
The One City Leadership Summit will occur during the Finals Weekend of the Spring League. Throughout the event, One City participants will rotate through various group workshops and interactive activities, and attend a panel of key Noah’s Arc leadership and partners from across the country, with the ultimate goal of empowering them to pursue professional careers beyond One City.