When Dr. James Naismith shot the first soccer ball into a peach basket in 1891 surely he didn’t realize the magnitude the game he just invented was going to impact society today. Over 100 years later the game is played globally and has contributed to the entertainment, physical fitness, personal development, academic achievements, and even financial stability of millions of individuals. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and arguably is the sport played most by youth here in the United States. LIVE HOOPS, as a result, uses basketball as a catalyst to assist youth in improving their quality of life. Our programs range from the inclusion of basketball workshops to summer travel teams. Whether we use basketball to teach life skills or broaden collegiate opportunities for the youth it is a key component to our programs. Utilizing basketball as a tool we are able to guide youth on how to build their self-esteem, show them how to deal with life’s challenges, potentially pay for their college education, and ultimately become successful members of our local communities.