Hillside Connection

Hillside Connection serves over 750 children and youth each year using a five-tiered approach to youth development that includes:

• Sports Development Clinics provide kids the opportunity to develop fundamental sports skills while connecting with their peers and gaining exposure to mentors throughout. Sessions are held in three session increments year-round at Hillside Community Center and other locations throughout Southeast Colorado Springs. One example is HC’s GameLikeHer clinic that focuses on helping girls develop athletic skills and plan for their future success. 
• Enrichment Opportunities give kids a chance to be exposed to a variety of fun experiences designed to refine psychosocial skills, develop civic engagement, and learn more about Colorado Springs - “Olympic City USA”. Experiences have included field trips to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, National Cyber Security Center, Olympic Training Center, college and pro sports games, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum. In addition, HC partners with Downtown Partnership, the City of Colorado Springs, TrueSport, and a variety of Colorado Springs businesses to teach youth in HC’s Pathways program health and nutrition, financial education, and career planning through business immersions and mentorship.
• Community Engagement helps build genuine relationships with residents and public, private, and nonprofit entities to extend beyond the basketball court and into other parts of the community. Recent activities include basketball court refurbishment projects at Memorial Park and the Deerfield Hills Community Center, stuffing backpacks for our Back-to-School Drive, and visiting the Myron Stratton Home. Serving as volunteers for local organizations, attending community events, and assisting with local projects helps Hillside Connection leaders and youth establish a new-found sense of community pride.
• Competitive Play gives kids a chance to participate in the Hoopster Basketball League in collaboration with Harrison School District 2, a 3v3 summer tournament, and various other playing experiences throughout the year. These opportunities provide kids from all backgrounds with a platform to compete. 
• Family and Youth Support Services give Hillside Connection the chance to reach beyond the basketball court and into the homes of the kids served. We do a great job of connecting families with organizations in their areas of need, including Pikes Peak United Way 2-1-1, Colorado Springs Food Rescue, Community Works, and other organizations. In addition, Hillside Connection organizes back to school drives which help provide kids in need with the necessary school supplies to be successful students, holiday drives to provide gifts for kids, and meditation and yoga sessions to teach mental wellness.

Hillside Connection works to build great people that are assets to their communities. Of the kids served last year, 95% had good attendance in school and 95% had zero office referrals for behavior (tracked by Harrison School District 2). 

Here are some of the highlights of the parent survey completed after HC’s Hoopster League:

- Over 50% of parents reported their relationship with their child improved since beginning HC’s programming.

- 71% reported their child's work ethic, communication, and school performance improved since beginning HC's programming.

- 100% reported their child takes more leadership and accountability since beginning HC's programming.

Below are some testimonials from Hillside Connection's programming:

“This was not just a great basketball experience for my son… it was an opportunity to listen to strong Black men in the community that went through some tough times; teaching kids how to use basketball as a tool and not a life goal.” (Parent) “My son has changed a lot. He is a lot more respectful to others and to me, his mom. I would definitely recommend this program.” (Parent) “What Hillside has taught me is how to be a better teammate, how to be tough, push myself, work hard and be respectful.” (Participant) “My son really enjoyed playing in the Hillside league with his school friends/teammates and I think this opportunity has really brought the 4th and 5th graders at our school a lot closer as a whole. The kids who participated in the competitive league through Hillside learned a lot about cooperation, leadership, attitude, and effort. Sometimes they won, other times they learned…and each day on the court was just as valuable.” (Parent and Harrison School District 2 Staff)