Building Bridges: HCSO and Dick's House of Sport Host Impactful Youth Camp in Katy
In a collaborative initiative that aimed to foster healthy relationships between the youth and law enforcement, the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) Police Athletic Activities League and Dick's House of Sport in Katy hosted a two-day Youth Camp from March 11 to 12, 2024, running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day.
The camp was the brainchild of a joint meeting between Nicole Martin with Dick's House of Sport and Deputy Timothy Mordecai, Sergeant Donnie Williams, and Elizabeth Longoria with the HCSO Community Engagement Division. Led by trained HCSO law enforcement, this division 's mission is to connect with the public, equip citizens with knowledge, reduce crime, and build a stronger, safer community.
HCSO Sergeant Donnie Williams with participants at the HCSO and The pilot program was open to all, with HCSO putting feelers out for the program on their social media page and Dick's House of Sports' website. With 30 kids registered, the program aimed to bridge the gap between the younger generation and law enforcement officers in a fun and interactive setting. Dick's House of Sport stepped up to meet the challenge, providing the facility, lunch, and sports activities.
Participants engaged in crafts like tie-dying t-shirts, demonstrations, and various sports activities over the two-day program. One of the unique experiences was a hands-on mock crime scene activity conducted by the HCSO Crime Scene Unit. This interactive education session gave youth a firsthand look into the investigative work carried out by law enforcement professionals.
HCSO Crime Scene Unit giving a demonstration to participants at the HCSO and With a focus on providing a unique, immersive retail experience that pairs top-of-the-line gear with thoughtfully crafted experiences, Dick's House of Sport believes that sports have the power to change lives. This mission, combined with the heart of the Community Engagement Division, paved the way for a successful program that touched the lives of the youth participants.
Speaking on the impact of this initiative, Nicole Martin, Community and Event Manager at Dick's House of Sport, commented, "On the first day of the event, we had about 30 kids. Then on the second day, our total was about 45 participants! They had such an awesome time that they told their friends and brought them along for the fun."
Participants playing basketball at Dick's House of Sport for the HCSO and Martin also expressed her appreciation for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, stating, "We deeply value our relationship with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and appreciate all that they do to support our youth. It was so touching to see them in action with our participants – they truly do care."
As the Harris County Sheriff's Office Community Engagement Division strives to highlight the importance of building trust and understanding between youth and law enforcement agencies, they look forward to planning similar events in the near future alongside Dick's House of Sport in Katy.
By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region. |
