Basketball in the Barrio is back in person after a three year hiatus due to Covid-19

EL PASO, Texas -- Basketball in the Barrio is back to give children the skills for not only the game of basketball but for the game of life.

For just $1, kids aged 6-10 get two basketballs, hands on training, a t-shirt, a musical instrument and a whole lot more in the three day program.

It's an initiative that was started 30 years ago by Steve Yellen and Rus Bradburd.

Yellen told ABC-7 back when they first started the program participants had to pay. He said they quickly realized that it wasn't about money and instead they should use the camp as a way to help kids who grow up in poorer communities.

Yellen said it's all about making sure the kids in the Barrio are proud of where they come from, the border culture that surrounds them and giving them the skills to succeed in life.

"If a kid can learn a skill and work hard, if they can show off in front of their families and friends, that gives them confidence," Yellen said. "We teach them to show off, it's the main thing about Basketball in the Barrio so they go out and show off not only the culture of their neighborhood but their basketball skills."

It's not too late to get involved in the program. If you show up before 9 a.m. Saturday or Sunday Yellen will make sure you get into the camp for just $1.