THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 26, 2022 Page 13 Metro Mayors Host Shannon Grant Basketball Tournament Annual event brings together law enforcement, youths, community workers to celebrate a safe summer & kick off the new school year Mayor Gary Christenson is shown with the Malden team and coaches. E VERETT – Local teens, community-based organizations and area law enforcement officials joined together for the Annual Shannon Grant Basketball Tournament in Everett last weekend, in a show of solidarity to support the fight against youth violence and gang involvement across Metro Mayors Coalition communities. On Saturday, August 6, teams from Everett, Malden, Somerville, Revere, Cambridge, Chelsea and Winthrop competed in the 13th Annual Shannon Grant Basketball Tournament at the Everett Recreation Center. This year’s event included a cookout, ice cream truck, three-point contest, an artist, backyard games and a visit from Malden Mayor Gary Christenson as well as Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino. “The Shannon Basketball Tournament is an important reminder of the positive outcomes we are able to achieve by bringing young members of the community and law enforcement together to enjoy some food, fun, and friendly competition,” said Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “I am grateful for all the staff who work hard to make this event possible each year and to the young people for their willingness to engage with us.” “The Metro Mayors Community Safety Initiative is critical to steering young people across our region away from violence,” said Chelsea City Manager Tom Ambrosino, who also serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition. “It’s always a pleasure to see the youth in the region come together for this tournament. The relationships we saw on display among youth, coaches, and mentors from different cities in the region remind us of the great progress we have made in this region since the start of the Shannon Grant.” “When people ask me what’s one of the best ways we can continue to move our communities forward, I always respond that it’s through partnerships especially like the ones on display at the 2023 Shannon Basketball Tournament. During this event, we had elected officials, police, and recreation department officials come together to support our youth and I am certain that relationships were formed as a result that will carry forward,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. “Of course, events like these don’t happen on their own. Rather, there needs to be a catalyst and that was just what the Metropolitan Area Planning Council was, by organizing and administering this great event.” The annual basketball tournament has been held since 2009 to bring together youths, law enforcement and community-based organizations involved in the Metro Mayors Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative, which is a state-funded program that supports regional approaches to combating gang violence through law enforcement, job training and afterschool programs. The tournament is hosted in a different community each summer and brings together more than 100 youths in a fun, friendly competition. For more information on the Shannon Grant or the Metro Mayors Coalition, contact Rosemary Volinski at rvolinski@ mapc.org. Cambridge won the tournament in a close game against Malden. A youth from Cambridge also won the three-point contest. Mayor Gary Christenson and Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora (far right) flank Malden Police Officer Jean Lamour and City of Malden Recreation Coordinator Joe Levine.
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