PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Over 250 children of incarcerated parents got to take part in a sports camp in the East Valley on Saturday morning, thanks to a national nonprofit.
Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit, hosted its free Prison Fellowship Angel Tree sports camp at Central Christian Church in Mesa. Children, ranging in ages 7 to 17, got to practice a variety of drills at the fun basketball camp.
“We got in and they gave us some new shoes, and we got right into it. We’re learning different things, like how to dribble, how to shoot, the positions and everything,” said Domonique Alavarado, one of the children in attendance. “It’s a really cool experience. And it’s just a wonderful time for you and your family to be closer together. Especially my family, we just all do our own thing because of like school and everything. It’s really nice to be here and be together.”
Brandon Johnson, who once played for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League, was among the instructors at the event. Johnson was sentenced to six months in prison for a sports betting scandal in 2012, but now has turned his life around to mentor to young children.
After being released from prison, Johnson played basketball overseas and founded his nonprofit, the AWAKE Program. The organization provides a curriculum and a youth mentoring program to juvenile detention centers.
“It’s just full circle for me. I was incarcerated. I had a parent that was incarcerated. For me, I had the ability to play in the NBA, but the trajectory of my life took a turn,” he explained. “When I got out, I started mentoring and speaking. God just placed me in the right position; brought my life full circle to Prison Fellowship.”
“I get excited to be here every year that I come out. It’s a blessing to be a part of something that’s so connected to my soul,” he added.
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