PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  — The Portland Trail Blazers traded the court for the game room, hanging out with kids at the Boys & Girls Club in northeast Portland.

Cheers and laughter filled the center as players joined in a little friendly competition.

“So just being able to come out here and make these kids smile, and give them something to remember for the rest of their lives, it means a lot to all of us,” said Blazers center Donovan Clingan.

From a cookie challenge to balloon games, players like Clingan spent time simply hanging out.

It’s a big deal since organizers say many of the kids at the club face challenges like housing instability, food insecurity, and even mental health struggles.

“It’s almost kind of a magical moment because they get a chance to interact with the players that they look up to,” said Terry Johnson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro Area.

Johnson said the club provides free after-school programs for kids 6 to 18.

But this club is the only one in the country named after an NBA team, giving it a unique opportunity for kids.

“It gives them a sense of hope, and it’s really something special and good,” Johnson said.

The club’s roots go back to 1996, when former Trail Blazers Terry Porter and the late Jerome Kersey had a vision to create a safe place for kids.

Thirty years later, that dream is thriving.

“That’s what our programming is all about, is creating spaces for kids to dream, to have access and exposure to different opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise,” Johnson said.

The students come to learn and practice the skills they use in school, but they’re also here to just be kids.

The professional athletes had no problem joining in.

Sports are a core goal at the Boys & Girls Club.

Kids have fun with the Blazers while learning teamwork, confidence, and skills for life.

KOIN 6 is a proud partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Portland Metropolitan Area.

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