VILLAGE TO HOST CONNECTICUT SUN BASKETBALL CLINIC TO HELP HARTFORD KIDS AFFECTED BY TRAUMA

The Village for Families & Children, WNBA stars partner to bring sports to after-school program

What: The Village for Families & Children is teaming up with the Connecticut Sun to provide a one-day basketball clinic for Hartford children ages 5-14 who have been affected by significant trauma, including abuse and violence, that has been compounded by the pandemic.

The basketball clinic will be utilizing aspects of a sports-based therapy program already in place at The Village thanks to a partnership with Doc Wayne Youth Services, ESPN, and Arbella Insurance Foundation. This session will help over a dozen children in The Village’s Extended Day Treatment (EDT) program develop healthy coping skills, learn trust and teamwork, feel more confident to engage in sport and fitness and become leaders in their school or community.

Who: Connecticut Sun players and Morgan Tuck, former Connecticut Sun forward and four-time UConn women’s basketball NCAA champion, now Director of Franchise Development for The Sun, will lead the clinic. Village clinicians will be on hand to discuss how the sport-based therapies help children to heal. The Sun will also give the children autographed basketballs to take home.

When: Monday, April 18, 2022 at 4:00pm. The clinic will begin at 4:30pm. Connecticut Sun players and Village staff will be available to answer questions prior to the start of clinic.

Where: The Village for Families & Children—1680 Albany Ave, Hartford. Village staff will be on hand in the Welcome Center to direct media to either The Village’s outdoor basketball courts or on-campus gymnasium, depending on weather.

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Contact:

Sarah Thompson, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications,

The Village for Families & Children (c) 860-751-4179, sthompson@thevillage.org

Alexandra Maund, Manager of Communications,

The Connecticut Sun (860)-705-9649, amaund@connecticutsun.com

About The Village

The Village for Families & Children was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, The Village provides a full range of behavioral health, early and childhood youth development, substance use treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region. Learn more at thevillage.org.

About The Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun is a professional women’s basketball team in the Women’s National Basketball Association that takes residence at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Established in 2003, the Connecticut Sun will celebrate its 20th Anniversary as a franchise this year. Connecticut Sun’s Home Opener will be Saturday, May 14 at 7:00 P.M. EST against the Los Angeles Sparks. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.connecticutsun.com.