ICUC Duroville Leaders Proud to Inaugurate their New Basketball Court

April 12, 2011

CONTACTS: Yvonna Cázares :  760/899-3730, John Rodriguez: 760/899-0544

 “ICUC Duroville Leaders Proud to Inaugurate their New Basketball Court”

On Sunday, April 10^th Duroville residents inaugurated their new basketball court with over 75 residents registering for basketball teams, determining the rules of the court’s use and forming the first-ever Duroville Basketball Association.

Over 8 teams were formed including youth, adult, women’s and co-ed teams. Basketballs were raffled off to the delight of many eager children. And on the new high-school sized cement court that was once dirt, friends and family lined up to cheer for the new Duroville basketball players.

With the help of Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), residents took action on February 17^th, mobilizing their community to construct the court through volunteer work and maintaining a working relationship with a private donor to cover the costs of materials. Now residents can point to a tangible example of their community organizing work which aimed to increase the community’s ability to impact persistent health disparities and provide local healthy youth outlets.

In December of 2010, ICUC leadership - which is made of parents and youth in Duroville - took on the issue of a community park and its potential benefits and costs for families in “Duros” after hearing from over 50 families. Through dialogue and research, Duroville ICUC leaders and local community stakeholders found ways to include the interests of all residents in planning for the park. A basketball court, small soccer field, bbq and shade area, trees, kids playground and community garden will end needless suffering of families by providing a clean, safe place to play and exercise. ICUC Duroville leaders took on the majority of park construction with rotating volunteer shifts and still plan to raise $3,000 through their own event fundraising and small outside donations to help fund the park. They also aim to create a rotating group of resident volunteers responsible for park stewardship.

In this community-led effort, Duroville residents with help from ICUC have begun to build community capacity to create more park space where people live and increase access to nutritious, affordable and locally-sourced food for families in the Eastern Coachella Valley. To become a leader and organize for change in your community, please contact Yvonna Cázares, organizer with Inland Congregations United for Change at 760-899-3730.

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The Duroville neighborhood in Thermal/Mecca is a member of Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC). ICUC is a grassroots, faith-based nonprofit community organization that brings people together to strengthen families and improve communities.  ICUC has 32 member congregations in Riverside and San Bernardino County representing over 45,000 families. For more information on Inland Congregations United for Change visit www.icucpico.org