BALTIMORE — A dad can teach a kid a lot with some time and a hoop.
On Tuesday night in West Baltimore there were a couple hoops and hundreds of fathers, their sons and some boys whose fathers aren’t around.
“That’s what life is about just having fun, having as much fun as you possibly can,” said one of the young boys.
Every dribble, laugh, and shot taken is a memory to cherish.
“Seeing every kid and father together and if you don’t have a father then that’s okay because Coach Duncan everybody around just for everyone to match,” said one of the boys.
Tigana Duncan runs a youth mentorship program called Stepping Towards a New Destiny or S.T.A.N.D.
With help from the Furman L. Templeton Academy and Baltimore City, he’s organized this growing event for three years.
“We do not believe that this is a city in crisis,” Duncan said. “One of the things I’ve always said and continue to say is that this is a city of hope. We do have hope for this city of Baltimore.”
With his two sons and dozens of mentees by his side he leads by example.
“It’s big ya know a lot of my friends they don’t have their fathers in their lives right now,” his son Darryl said. “My father kinda stepped up for them as well.”
The games are light hearted, and the dads come from all walks of life.
“The politicians, officers, whatever their work is, it’s a pleasure to see all these men come out today to give back to children that may not be theirs or may be theirs,” said Duane Williams Jr., a community leader and member of We Our Us.
For some father's it's a chance to teach a lesson and make -up for time lost.
“I was in the penitentiary for 24 years man,” said David Alston. “I’m home, I’m free, I want to make a difference. I got my son out here, and I came out here to spend time with my son and the other kids.”
For some of these boy's it helps to fill an emotional hole left by incarceration or worse.
“Daddy if you’re watching I love you and I hope you come out soon,” One of the boys said.
A full court fatherly press, showing the kids in this city that the village is coming back.
