Female Boston Police Officers Ball in Dorchester

Last week I spent 2 days photographing and filming with my good friends over at Shooting Touch. If you don't know anything about them they are a really cool nonprofit based in Boston, but also active in Rwanda, that uses Basketball to improve communities through health, mentorship and education. In this particular case, ST partnered with women from the Boston Police Department to run a free 1 week basketball clinic for girls. They did this for many reasons but mostly because access to free girls clinics is lacking especially within the city of Boston. The police department got involved simply to continue their efforts of integrating into the community and supporting the youth.

The cool thing about Shooting Touch programs, and this one was no exception, is their commitment to using basketball to educate. While the girls may have felt they were there just to improve their skills or simply have a good time, they were constantly getting lessons and quick lectures from the ST coaches, who happen to be Mass General nurses, and the BPD. Lessons about goal planning and self awareness were implemented during hydration and snack times. All the girls paid close attention, participated often and stayed positive. After documenting the use of sport to educate over the past 4 years, programs like this continue to reinforce the effectiveness of educating through sport.

Check out my favorite stills from the camp below and feel free to share your sport stories or photos. Video coming later this summer.