Community Comes Together for Summer of Nonviolence Basketball Event at Holiday Park Community Center
Basketball and community spirit shine at Summer of Nonviolence Event in Northeast Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, over 200 community members gathered at Holiday Park Community Center for a day of basketball, connection, and positive energy at the Summer of Nonviolence event.
Hosted by the City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque City Council District 8, Albuquerque Community Safety, Bernalillo County, Lobos legend and NBA star Kenny Thomas, Youth and Family Services, Teen Connect, Zia Sports Academy, and 99.9 FM The Beat, the free event welcomed participants of all ages to engage in a 3-on-3 competition while promoting unity and respect through sport.
As part of the City’s Teen Connect initiative, the event also provided teens with a safe, supportive space to build connections, develop skills, and engage with mentors key elements in the City's prevention-first approach to youth programming.
Families and athletes enjoyed exciting basketball games, with free food from Zia Strong, XO Fast Foods, and Paleta Bar available to those who completed a community survey. Many participants also took the Summer of Nonviolence pledge, committing to promote peace and respect in their communities. The event encouraged not just athletic skill but also community connection and positive social interaction.
“Community engagement and sportsmanship foster unity and resilience,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “The City of Albuquerque remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote safety, inclusion, and positive growth for residents of all ages.”
“Events like these bring our neighborhoods together and remind us that sports can be a powerful tool for fostering peace and understanding,” said District 8 City Councilor Dan Champine. “District 8 is proud to support programming geared toward bringing the community together in health ways.”
“Basketball has always been about more than the game,” said Kenny Thomas. “It’s about teamwork, respect, and building something bigger than ourselves. I’m proud to be part of this movement.”
“Our goal is to create safe spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued,” said ACS Community Outreach Manger Jeffery Bustamante. “Today’s event reflects that mission perfectly.”
The Summer of Nonviolence initiative continues to offer opportunities throughout the season for residents to connect, grow, and stay safe through engaging community programs.
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About Albuquerque Community Safety
Albuquerque Community Safety is the City of Albuquerque’s third branch of public safety. Responders take calls for service involving behavioral health, substance use, and other non-criminal and non-medical issues. Request an ACS Responder by calling 911 for emergencies and 311 for non-emergencies.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.