When Devan Decker was 17, he enrolled in Traverse Place for Homeless Teens, his first experience with housing displacement.
“I was kicked out of my parent’s house and didn’t have anywhere to go,” said Decker.
More than five years later, Decker and other members of the Genesee County Youth Corporation stood proudly on the Little Caesars Arena court on a Sunday afternoon in early February to accept a $5,000 grant from Pistons owner Tom Gores.
“(The Detroit Pistons organization) said we would be doing something during the game, but I had no idea what it would be,” Decker said afterward. “I was surprised.”
Genesee County Youth Corporation is a social service organization that provides shelter services for unaccompanied minors who run away or are experiencing homelessness. The organization also provides crisis intervention, counseling, transitional housing and life skills in varying programs.
“We help (adolescents and young adults) get in school, help them find jobs and get them connected with other resources,” housing program case manager Gloria Parker said during the game against the Orlando Magic.
The Genesee County Youth Corporation is just one of five Flint area organizations who sent groups of youths to Detroit Pistons games this season courtesy of Pistons owner Tom Gores. Called the “Be Impactful” initiative, the program was introduced for the start of the 2021-22 season. Children are bused to games where they are treated to a full game-night experience. The organizations also receive $5,000 grants. The initiative serves as a way for Gores to give back to the community where he grew up after immigrating from Israel as a small child.
“Tom is very vocal in terms of the impact he wants to make in the community,” said Erika Swilley, former Pistons vice president of community relations and social responsibility. “When he purchased the Pistons in 2011 and moved the team back to Detroit (in 2017), he wanted it to be a community asset and he has a lot of authentic, amazing ideas on different ways to give back.”
The Pistons provided a top-notch experience for the group of kids and teens on Feb. 4. After arriving at LCA, more than 20 attendees were escorted to a private suite to watch the game.
Each attendee was gifted black and blue Pistons-themed “Be Impactful” T-shirts to wear throughout the game. Candy jars were placed throughout the suite and pizza, pop and other fan favorites filled the kitchen area.
Decker, Parker and her team were brought down to the court during the third period for the donation announcement. The children in the suites cheered and jumped with excitement as their friends and mentors were shown on the jumbotron.
“I was not expecting the check, but it’s really amazing,” Parker told reporters.
Parker stated that she will ensure that everyone in the program benefits from the donation.
“I think it’s cool that (Gores) engaged in the community and cares about the people in Flint,” Decker said in a statement.
Parker stated that the event will be unforgettable for the group.
“They’ll take this with them for the rest of their lives,” Parker told reporters. “They saw things today that were different from what they had previously seen. I always remind them, “When someone blesses you, go bless someone else.”
