Hoops for Hope

The African American Opioid Coalition of Safe Communities is hosting this event to raise awareness of substance use and mental health concerns in communities of color. Along with a resource fair (starting at 11 a.m.), speakers (at noon), kids' activities, food and a raffle, spectators can watch a basketball tournament and 3-point contest. Admission is free. Find more info below and updates at safercommunity.net.

media release: American Family Insurance presents Hoops for Hope, an event hosted by Safe Communities, the African American Opioid Coalition, and Madison College. This free community event focuses on raising awareness about substance use and mental health in the BIPOC community. Hoops for Hope will be held on December 8 at Madison College’s H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium.

Hoops for Hope is more than just a community event—it’s a celebration of BIPOC culture, resilience, and unity. Through the power of sports, we’re bringing people together to connect, uplift, and support one another. This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the impact of substance use, all through positive, engaging activities. By sharing our experiences and building connections, we hope to inspire understanding, promote wellness, and create a lasting, supportive network within our community.

Join us for this free community event packed with excitement for everyone! Enjoy a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with 16 teams competing for cash prizes, a thrilling 3-point contest, a community resource fair, free food, face painting, a DJ, and activities for the whole family. Don’t miss out on the fun and community connection!

• 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament: Sign up for a chance to showcase your skills and compete for cash prizes—$900 for first place and $600 for second! Register for the tournament here by November 22. Each team is guaranteed at least three games, with the full schedule released on December 1. Cash prize for tournament MVP!
• 3-Point Contest: Show off your shooting skills! Register here.
• Cash prize for winner!

You must be 18+ to compete in the tournament and 3-point contest.

For any questions, please contact Michelle Fox at mfox@safercommunity.net.

According to the National Institutes of Health, overdoses are one of the leading causes of injury-related death in the United States. In 2022, 107,941 people died from drug overdoses—an average of 296 lives lost each day. This devastating issue is even more pronounced in Dane County, where data from Public Health Madison and Dane County reveals that, from 2020 to 2022, the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate among Black people was more than 4.5 times higher than the county's overall rate. Alongside elevated overdose death rates, the Black and Hispanic communities also experience significantly lower rates of mental health care compared to White Americans. These statistics emphasize the critical importance of events like this one, which brings education and awareness to substance use and mental health in BIPOC communities.

Thank you to American Family Insurance and Madison College for your generous support, we couldn’t hold this event without you!

Safe Communities:

Safe Communities is a nonprofit, injury prevention coalition that serves all of Dane County. Safe Communities cares about the health, wellbeing and safety of all people in our community. By engaging a coalition of advocates, including those with lived experiences, we empathetically provide support and resources to vulnerable populations. We are saving lives together by confronting our community’s top safety concerns – Older Adult Falls, Traffic Crashes, Suicide & Drug Harm, through innovative programs. Learn more at safecommunities.org.

African American Opioid Coalition:

The African American Opioid Coalition (AAOC) of Safe Communities is a coalition of Black leaders representing organizations with a role to play in preventing drug harm in Dane County’s Black community. AAOC goals are: to improve the overall wellness of Black families; to educate about the impacts of opioid addiction in the African American community; and to have a place at the table (not on the menu!) to inform policies and practices affecting Black families

Event Schedule:

9:00am: Basketball games begin!

11:00am-7:00pm: Resource Fair

11:00am: Pizza & juice!

12-12:30pm: Speakers

12:30pm: Tournament bracket begins!

1-3:00pm: Face painting

3:30-4pm: 3-Point contest!

6:00pm: Championship game!

7:00pm: End of event