![]() Learn how to integrate and be incredibly selfless. “Stay involved and get involved, it can teach you things later in life that we weren’t prepared for when we were younger. The community that took him in as a young boy, kept him and taught him how to grow up as a young man, now honors him. It would also leave a lasting impression in terms of community involvement, as well. “We played a lot of games against bigger guys in there. And as you might imagine, he also worked in the gym. All told, Cooley was a part of it all from 1979 to 1993, working for the club while attending Stonehill College as a counselor in their summer program. “It was a really good environment to be around.”Ī native of Providence, Cooley never strayed far from the club while attending Central High School and twice earning Rhode Island High School Player of the Year honors for his accomplishments on the basketball floor. “There were leagues, we played teams from Boston and New York, and we were called the ‘Southside Sixers.’ I just remember the basketball leagues and one summer when I was in charge of the gym playing ping pong, we’d have tournaments and foosball. ![]() “Mini basketball is when I started playing as a little kid, with 8-foot rims,” Cooley recalled. If they’re funded the right way, it allows kids the opportunity to create synergy in that community, to feel good about themselves and for the community to feel good about them. “The summer programs aren’t funded enough. “Many of us growing up looked at it as a safe haven from the streets,” Cooley said. With the help of professionally trained staff, the Clubs offer guidance for kids who need it most hopefully, resulting in immediate and long-lasting positive impact by helping to develop the self-esteem and skills needed to succeed as adults. For 144 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence have provided a safe and positive environment for children and youth in the neighborhoods where they live. That’s why I believe in community service, he was just a really, really good guy and made a huge impression upon me.” GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE - SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTįounded in 1868, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence is the nation’s oldest continually operated Boys & Girls Club. He always took care of kids, and looked out for the community. “ Roosevelt Benton, who was the director of the Southside Club, recently passed and I know he’s smiling down upon us. “I’m really just proud to be associated with them, I learned a lot over there,” Cooley said, a bit overwhelmed with the idea that his boyhood “hangout” has bestowed this honor upon him. That’s what has happened to Providence basketball coach Ed Cooley, who will be one of seven local leaders inducted into the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence Hall of Fame Wednesday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
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