2024 Liberty & Justice Unity Basketball Event
On June 8th, 2024, Liberty For Youth hosted our 18th Annual Liberty & Justice Unity Basketball game, between Liberty For Youth’s Prodigal Sonz (a team of at-risk/post-incarcerated youth and their mentors) and the Hamilton Police All-Stars basketball team, led by Staff Sergeant David McKenzie. Our annual ‘2024 Steel City Cop Award’ was presented to Constable Osayi Iginuan.
At the beginning of the game, Prodigal Sonz Alumni member (and now Special Constable with the Hamilton Police Service) Rudy Sanchez, met with Prodigal Sonz participant, Trandon, at half court for the presentation of the ‘Unity Ball’, which symbolizes the reconciliation between a youth in conflict with the law and the Hamilton Police Services. Rudy shared a few words regarding his journey from being an at-risk youth to now being employed as a Special Constable – truly a full circle in his journey!
“I first got involved with Liberty For Youth (LFY) when I was 13 years old. During that time a family member was in jail and I felt anger towards the police, as I was young and didn’t fully understand the situation. I received mentorship and played basketball with Liberty For Youth and over time I started seeing the police differently. LFY connected me with Constable Rod Allison, who took me for dinner and discussed career options within the law enforcement field. I eventually applied to the Police Foundations program and was hired as a Special Constable this year. I have the honour of being the first basketball player to play for The Prodigal Sonz and now for The Hamilton Police team.”
Rudy Sanchez|LFY Alumni Member & Special Constable
