The Above the Streets (ATS) Basketball League was created by CASES staff and is designed for agencies working with youth and young adults (ages 16-24) from all walks of life to help them confront the challenges they face on a daily basis. ATS targets youth that have made mistakes and are willing to make an effort to correct them.

The goal of the league is to encourage youth to successfully complete court-mandated programs, live drug free lifestyles, and stay off the streets. Participation in ATS is used as an incentive for youth to comply with the rules of alternative to incarceration and substance abuse programs. At the same time, ATS provides youth with a constructive outlet for their energy by providing opportunities for social development, teamwork, and personal growth. Participants also take an active role in managing the league by assisting with refereeing, scorekeeping, photography, and web design.

The following programs are currently involved in the Above the Streets Basketball Tournament:

CASES
Phoenix House Academy (residential)
The Fortune Society
The DOE Fund
Phoenix House Impact (outpatient)
Friends of Island Academy
Brooklyn Treatment Court
The Dome Project.

Other programs that are establishing teams at this time are:

Odyssey House
Realization Center (Brooklyn)
Realization Center (Manhattan)
Bronx Probation

For information on how to get involved, contact Willard Beale at wbeale@cases.org