The Georgia Suns Youth Empowerment Program is getting ready to gear up for another season of basketball! Practice is happening Saturday, February 17 at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive) at 3:00 p.m.
“The Georgia Suns Youth Program is very important for our kids in our community in helping keep kids busy during the summer months,” said Georgia Suns Youth Empowerment Program CEO and Founder Melvin Flowers. “This keeps them off the streets and puts them in a drug-free environment where they can learn and grow. They’re able to get in contact with college scouts to help them get scholarships for their favorite school.”
The Georgia Suns holds basketball practices every Saturday to get ready to play against teams throughout the Southeast. The first games will be held at the Ice Breaker Invitational in North Augusta, South Carolina on March 29-31.
“I love working with the kids,” said Flowers. “We play tough competition and make the best out of it. I started this program to keep kids busy off the streets in the early 90s. We must keep this rolling.”
The program received a $40,000 grant from Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) funding in the first round of grants in 2022. This allowed the program to hire more people, pay for registration for tournaments, and pay for travel expenses for the students participating. The program now has about 45 students involved, which is the most they’ve had registered since the start of the program.
When they are not playing basketball, students work with other organizations such as Keryx Ministries, Emau Programs, and James Wimberly institute. This weekend, some will be able to go to Alabama with the James Wimberly Institute to visit the Civil Rights Museum.
The Georgia Suns Youth Empowerment Program works with students in 8th through 12th grade and is still accepting new members. If you’d like to register, you can contact Melvin Flowers at (478) 501-2525.
About Georgia Suns Youth Empowerment Program
Georgia Suns is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers who have a strong interest in the well-being of the children of our community, providing them with a safe, drug-free opportunity for personal growth and development through a competitive basketball experience.
About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations, and departments. It has been credited as a central reason the homicide rate dropped by 43% in one year.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.
In its first two years, Macon-Bibb and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia have awarded more than $1.6 million to 56 local nonprofit organizations that have identified proven or innovative solutions to reducing violent crime.
“The solution to violent crime in our community will be found in all of us working together on the same team,” explained Mayor Lester Miller. “The fact that so many people have stepped forward shows that our community is committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations.”