Game of Life (GOL), located in Federal Way, WA, was the first program to come out of the Federal Way Youth Action Team, a collective impact formed in 2016 to address the disproportionality of Black and Brown youth in the county juvenile justice system and to give young people an alternative to violence.

GOL was started by Mental Health Therapist and a Corrections Supervisor who are also former high-level High School Basketball coaches and division one basketball players. In researching the most effective programs for young men of color, none were able to keep their attention and build relationships the way basketball has.

In every community of color there is a hoop culture that exists and transcends poverty, homelessness, racism, and many forms of mental health problems. The Game of Life Mentoring has capitalized on the deep rooted attraction to hoop that is shared by many in minority communities, using it to gear their lives toward the trades, starting businesses and finding success in education.

Basketball has been the true secret sauce and the best possible way to engage the otherwise disengaged. GOL meets twice a week at a local gym where youth between the ages of 15-25, play 4 on 4 pickup basketball with positive reliable hoop court monitors from their community.

Invaluable life lessons are taught through hoop including, evaluating choices (seeing the whole court), understanding consequences, (living with your calls/ decisions), and how to avoid letting your emotions get the best of you in an intense game.

The young men receive a nutritious meal, healthy conversation, referrals/ access to needed resources, and ultimately learn that winning isn't everything. Real credibility (street cred) is playing the Game of Life with integrity, resources and the proper rules.

GOL isn't just physical fitness, but emotional support as well. Many of the participants have experienced variety of challenges, i.e. homelessness, school suspensions, substance disorders, gang violence, incarceration, anger management, lack of access to mental health counseling. The game is 90% mental!

Our Emotional Fitness Program serves as culturally appropriate counseling that offers the ongoing support young men of color desperately need. This program helps youth open up to receive services, move into employment and ultimately gears them towards becoming successful citizens in their community (Hall of Game). GOL also host Emotional Fitness classes in elementary and Middle schools in WA. State to catch the youth early to avoid some of the pitfalls that happen to youth of color.

This is all created with on the court relationships.

Impacting a Community

See how the community in Federal Way is working together to help at risk kids.

Serving the common good in the Greater Seattle Area: Working together to prevent youth violence.