Diversity, Harmony, and Hoops

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Portland Parks & Recreation presents Inaugural Portland Intercultural Basketball Tournament

(Portland, OR) –

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)’s Parks for New Portlanders program and its partners present the first annual Portland Intercultural Basketball tournament.  PP&R, the Citywide Teen Force Program, Mayor Charlie Hales, and the Office of Youth Violence Prevention are joining together to celebrate diversity and culture, and to help refugees, immigrants and people of color integrate into the city.

What:  Portland Intercultural Basketball Tournament

Where: PP&R’s East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave

When: Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 8am-6pm

“This inaugural tournament is a wonderful chance to help immigrant and refugee youth to build a strong relationship with City staff,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “I hope the players have a wonderful time and that they continue to engage in Portland’s recreational opportunities.”

The Portland Intercultural Basketball Tournament is an international celebration of diversity, which will engage underserved and underrepresented immigrant, refugee and youth of color from all over Portland. This event aims to celebrate and foster community building, civic engagement, diversity, partnership, integration and self-sufficiency for people new to Portland and to the United States, including refugees, immigrants and people of color.

“This exciting tournament promises to showcase just one of many opportunities that Portland Parks & Recreation offers,” says PP&R Director Mike Abbaté. “We recognize it may often not be easy to get used to a new city which many players now call home. Portland is a welcoming community and our mission is serve all Portlanders equitably with the goal of a healthier, happier community. Good luck to all!”

The tournament will feature up to 16 teams of youth from around the Portland area. Age groups range between 14-17 and 18-21. Registration is now closed. Players will receive free lunch and tournament t-shirts.

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