Summer Kicks Off in Hoboken Housing Authority

Although it's been very hot for quite some time now, summer officially kicked off in the Housing Authority on Wednesday afternoon, with the third annual Save the Youth Academy Basketball tournament. Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. hosted his 11th annual barbeque, to help bring more people to the event.  

Roughly 140 teenagers—sweat dripping from their faces in the 100ºF weather—between the ages 12 and 18, gave their all on the basketball court on 5th Street and Marshall Drive. The only thing they could do to keep cool was drink a lot of water and a lot of gatorade. 

"It's a great thing for the city," said Director of Health and Human Services Leo Pelligrini. "If the kids are playing basketball, they're not in the street." 

And that's exactly the goal of the tournament. After school ends for the summer break, Pelligrini said, the teenagers have a lot of free time. Programs like the basketball league—which takes place five days a week for six weeks—are designed to keep the kids from the streets and out of trouble. 

Ramos, who sponsors one of the 14 teams in the league, echoed this sentiment. The basketball tournement keeps the Housing Authority's youth active, he said. 

Luis Acevedo, co-founder of the Save the Youth Academy, started the league three years ago. The league lasts eight weeks, he said. The teams play five days a week for a couple of hours a day on the basketball court on 5th Street and Marshall Drive or the court at Church Square Park. Michael Novak, board member of the Chamber of Commerce, said he sponsors three teams as well as the all star game at the end of the tournament. Both girls and boys play in the league. 

For Executive Director of the Hoboken Housing Authority Carmelo Garcia, the event is about more than just keeping the kids off the streets. 

"This event builds trust," he said, perspiration forming on his forehead. "It shows that we care." 

The basketball players on the team have one more goal in mind: winning. Ralfy Flores, 17, has been on the Ruben Ramos team for two years.

"I like the teamwork and the family it brings," said Flores, 17, who graduated Hoboken High School last month and will be attending Hudson Community College after the summer.

"We've never won a tournament," Flores added. "That's my goal: to win."