The Carver

View Original

L.O.V.E. Unit: A new Carver initiative combining basketball, character-building, and community.

Leadership Overcomes Violence Everywhere: That’s what Carver’s new L.O.V.E. Unit stands for. Led by Tremain Gilmore, Carver Teen Center Director and Co-Executive Director of Ej's H.E.A.R.T. Inc, L.O.V.E. Unit provided free basketball training and mentorship at Roodner Court and Columbus Court in Norwalk this summer, giving children the opportunity to learn one-on-one with local professional basketball players in a supportive, empowering community environment.

L.O.V.E. Unit is a part of Summer Run, an all-summer co-ed program that has been engaging youth through basketball since 2009. Held in the evenings at the Carver Community Center, Summer Run teaches participants the basics of basketball, strengthens their athletic abilities, and builds their teamwork and leadership skills. Youth are provided with rewarding activities and experiences in a safe, inclusive environment surrounded by friends and mentors.

Countless Carver alumni have sharpened their basketball skills at Summer Run, with some going on to play at the collegiate and professional levels. On Friday nights, some return to flaunt their talents, serving as inspiration for the younger players.

Summer Run and its new mobile L.O.V.E. Unit build inclusive communities of support and encouragement, giving children and youth positive role models to help them develop not only their basketball skills, but their confidence and character as well.

Watch the video below to learn more about L.O.V.E. Unit!