Jr. NBA P.E.A.C.E. League aims to prevent youth violence and empower kids 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- A Benton Harbor basketball league is helping prevent youth violence through peace and play. 

"I'm just kind of going back to the roots of when I grew up here in Benton Harbor. We always had leagues in the summertime for the kids to participate in. That was kind of the root of it. This is two years in the making. We had an idea, and then we were finally able to capitalize with Present Pillars," Commissioner of Jr. NBA P.E.A.C.E. League Curtis McFall said. 

The partnership with the Jr. NBA, the P.E.A.C.E. League provides competitive basketball games, community mentorship, and lessons in life beyond the court. 

Its mission is built right into the name: P.E.A.C.E.-peace, education, accountability, character and empowerment. 

Present Pillars, a group that empowers young men and fathers, volunteers by coaching and keeping score.  

McFall says the league is now in its third week, and 70 are already signed up. He envisions the league growing even bigger next summer.

"The city is in renovation stage of some of the parks. We will kind of hopefully move it to another park and then centralize it and have more than six weeks, have a whole summer thing, as soon as they get out of school, we'll get it signed up and just have the league going that way," McFall said. 

The camp runs from now until July 28 in Benton Harbor on Mondays at June Woods Park. Registration is in person and free. Both girls and boys are encouraged to attend.