Don Basketball League (DBL)

Don Basketball League players

Campaign 4 Change is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens and improving the image of our communities through extensive community service efforts to educate, empower, and change the negative mindset of today’s youth. We focus on reviving morals, goals, and dreams to help restore hope back into the community. C4C provides a street level, comprehensive, culturally competent and unique approach to influence the most difficult to reach troubled youth. Our message is universal and is unattached to any race, age, religion or gender.

Founded in 2001, we are committed to initiating collaborative efforts to bring citizens, businesses, and community organizations together to improve the living conditions within the state of NC and bridge the gap of the economically disadvantaged. As such, C4C has a number of initiatives, programs and collaborations to bring Campaign 4 Change (C4C) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens and improving the image of our communities through extensive community service efforts to educate, empower, and change the negative mindset of today’s youth. They focus on reviving morals, goals, and dreams to help restore hope back into the community. C4C provides a street level, comprehensive, culturally competent, and unique approach to influence the most difficult to reach and troubled youth. Their message is universal and is unattached to any race, age, religion or gender.

Founded in 2001, C4C is committed to initiating collaborative efforts to bring citizens, businesses, and community organizations together to improve the living conditions within the state of NC and bridge the gap of the economically disadvantaged. As such, they have a number of initiatives, programs, and collaborations to bring the community together and foster a better way of life for all.

DONS Basketball League (DBL) is an impoverished community focused outreach program that is free for all youth, and at no cost to parents. It is mainly for kids that desire to be active in sports but cannot afford to pay for AAU. The DBL administers an 18-week intensive summer basketball league open to all its participants and their families. Launched in 2012, the independent league presently enrolls approximately 220 disadvantaged youth (ages 12–17) through its league 18 teams. The basketball games simulates the authentic NBA experience. DBL incorporates mandatory community service, educational and character building workshops, and physical fitness. All kids are giving a well-balanced “cooked” free lunch during practices and game days. The DBL also provide several other programs that are for (ages 5 – 11), as well as free weekly Life Skills workshops for the youth parents.

DBL gives youth who might otherwise have too much free time on their hands a place where they can go and participate in physical activity in a safe, supervised, and structured environment. The League is geared for youth living in the most underserved communities. DBL’s staff reaches out to participants in every way possible including providing transportation, food, clothing, mentoring, and many other protective factors. The staff’s core focus is to stray kids from gangs and drugs and their goal is to guide participants to become productive citizens.

Community Outreach is an important element of involvement and DBL aims to reach as many members of the community as possible. In an effort to truly focus on the mission, participating youth must serve first and play basketball second. Discipline is administered and integrated into all elements of the league experience. All league officials, coaches, and representatives emphasize the league’s core values: productivity, sportsmanship, and brotherhood.

The DBL has a very unique approach, their first focus was to create a program that would get the kids off the streets during the highest crime rate for youth, which is on a Saturday night between the hours of 5pm – 9pm. They host educational classes, workshops, and games from the hours of 3pm – 10pm as well as providing youth with a free meal at 1pm. Their logic is simple, if they have kids in a gym during these high risk times, they will not be out in the streets doing crime or becoming a victim to gang violence. Youth has to complete mandatory community service every week and if they do not they are suspended from playing in the game. This teaches them to give back to their community and responsibility.

Each week an educational life skills workshop is hosted before the game starts. If a kid does not attend the workshop they are not allowed to play in the game. DBL partners with educators and business professionals to facilitate these workshops. They have partnered with PNC Bank, The Institute, NAACP, Teachers, Lawyers, Community Leaders, and Government Officials to facilitate workshops. Workshop content ranges from Financial Literacy, Conflict Resolution, Resume Writing, and How to apply to College to name a few. The true value of this organization is found in giving kids who live in a dark world hope, and showing them that someone does care. the community together and foster a better way of life for all.