Volunteers, staff and residents of Braintree Village – a 324-unit apartment community managed by full-service real estate firm Peabody Properties, Inc. – recently celebrated the 10th annual Building Bridges Youth Basketball League with representatives of the Braintree Police Department and the local community.

Now in its tenth year, the Building Bridges Youth Basketball League – a six-week, interactive program at Braintree Village funded through a MassHousing Youth Resident Activities Program grant and supported by the Braintree Police Department– has provided children and teens, with an opportunity to improve their basketball skills through weekly practices and games. Equally important, through this initiative, young residents work closely with the Braintree Police officers and volunteer coach John Sealey to develop their leadership and communications skills as well as building their self-esteem and, learning to respect themselves and others.

During the celebration, youth program participants were presented with citations from Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan and handed out by Braintree Police Chief Paul Shastany for their involvement in the league.

According to Lynne Sales, Director of Peabody Resident Services, the basketball league at Braintree Village provides an opportunity for residents ages five through seventeen to take part in a sport they love while learning skills from well-respected community members. “It’s a privilege to partner with the Braintree Police Department on such a life-changing program for our young residents. We look forward to continuing this program and are committed to building on this collaboration with the Braintree community,” said Sales.