ATHOL — Kristine Gordon-Johnson, a therapist at Clinical and Support Options in Athol who is also in the process of earning her doctorate from Boston College, found a need to help support foster children ages 18 and older within the Athol area. To do that, she created the “King of the Court” tournament, which will take place Aug. 5 at Fish Park in Athol. The tournament will start at 11:30 a.m.
“It’s an opportunity that I think can help kids from this area when I hear there is not a lot of programs for them,” said Gordon-Johnson. “I hope to make it an annual event. It’s a small steps approach.”
Gordon-Johnson teamed up with Efrain Cordova to coordinate and conceive the event, booking the park’s time and buying T-shirts for participants. Cordova is a foster child himself.
The tournament currently has five teams signed up. They will play 3-on-3 with one substitute for each team.
The duo chose this specific age group because Gordon-Johnson saw little opportunity to support children that “age out” of the foster home program. At the age of 18, kids “age out” of the foster home system. When a child “ages out” they must find an alternate place to live, find their own health care providers and other such things that a foster home provides. Now, kids have the opportunity to stay in foster care until at least 21 years of age, but not every child opts to stay. When they don’t, they often become troubled due to the lack of support that a foster home once provided.
“That’s when kids can get in trouble, so we want to give them a positive support system,” said Gordon-Johnson.
Gordon-Johnson met Cordova as an outpatient at Clinical and Support Options. Cordova had played basketball growing up and Gordon-Johnson felt helping him create this tournament was a way for Cordova to turn his passion into something positive for the community. The tournament is free.
“I felt it was needed and needed in helping Efrain,” said Gordon-Johnson. “I saw a lot of the same experiences (with sports) in my own kids so it was a positive way to help the community.”
Gordon-Johnson created a pamphlet on the tournament, outlining the objects of the tournament. It reads: “to provide a positive outlet for members of the community,” and “to provide a free/affordable opportunity currently unavailable for this age group.”
The duo has future goals of providing video game tournaments and incorporating live music events.
The event is open to sponsors and community involvement. Anyone interested in sponsoring or signing up for the event should contact Cordova at 978-320-8304 or Gordon-Johnson at Kristinecgordon@gmail.com