Mission

GBA’s mission is to empower youth by developing their athletic skills, leadership, work ethic, world view, and enhancing their commitment to the community.

The Big Idea

Gil Basketball Academy empowers youth through development of athletic and leadership skills, and teaches participants how to be positive community members. To build on their mission and respond to needs that emerged throughout the pandemic, this nonprofit has developed a new mentoring program. This Big Idea matches freshman and sophomore students with trained peer mentors, helping students new to high school cope in an environment that can be stressful. That includes encouraging younger students in the realm of academics, self-care and asking for help when they need it.

Because of GBA, I have another family. It has helped me become a team player, taught me to always work hard, and to never give up. I love playing basketball and, without it, I wouldn’t be as motivated in life. When I was in kindergarten, my mom was diagnosed with cancer; I was frightened that I was going to lose her. It was so difficult to see her after her treatment and especially to see her in the hospital. I would cry myself to sleep every night and also used to cry at school. My GBA family made me feel like there was hope. Some of the parents used to give me and my brothers rides to Stanford Hospital so we could see our mom. They would even bring food and let us stay at their houses, or take us places so my mom could rest. All of these experiences are making me a strong person like my mom.

- Isabella Gonzalez