A “Hoboken Games” tournament will be held this Saturday in order to benefit both the city’s youth as well as various businesses in the area.
The event is sponsored by TRUE Mentors, a one-on-one mentoring program that aims to provide the city’s youth with responsible role models.
The “Hoboken Games” tournament will give both kids and adults the chance to compete against each other for various prizes. The challenges will be held at various businesses in the area, including Interior Motif, Ben & Jerry’s, Copper Kettles, Village Pourhouse, Sullivan’s Bar, Hoboken Pet, Solid Threads, Right Angle, Giant Wash Laundromat, Vito’s Deli, Midtown Authentic, Northern Soul, Boys & Girls Club, and more.
“Our mission is to unearth the potential of children here in Hoboken through relationships.” – Susanna Tully
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“This is the first year we’re doing the ‘Games’ tournament,” said Susanna Tully, board president. “We wanted to create an opportunity for [participating] businesses to get exposure to new customers.”
“It’s going to be a great time,” added Tully.
Participants will be separated into teams according to age group. Teams of the same age groupings will then compete against one another in a bracket format.
Various different competitions will be held at participating businesses in the area. The format of each game depends on the type of business hosting the event.
“Each game is specially designed for each business,” said Tully.
Tully listed examples of events, including Ben & Jerry’s hosting of a “Guess the Flavor” flavor test; Copper Kettle’s hosting of a “Name that Price” event; and other planned events such as obstacle course races, “flip the cup” and “match the socks” challenges, and Wii Sports competitions.
“We try to open [our events] to all of Hoboken and even beyond that,” said Tully.
Interested parties can sign up online for a discounted rate or register before the event at Church Square Park at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
A promising start
True Mentors, a nonprofit organization, was founded by Hoboken Grace Community Church Lead Pastor Chris High and Worship Leader Ryan Dominguez in January 2011. Both men were seeking to improve the life opportunities and personal development of Hoboken’s youth.
“Our mission is to unearth the potential of children here in Hoboken through relationships,” said Tully, adding that children ages 7 to 17 are matched with volunteer adults.
Tully said that the organization was boosted by seed money collected through the church. Since its inception, the program has expanded to include providing mentorship to the Jersey City Heights area as well.
“We match adults up in Jersey City Heights with children [of that area],” said Tully, “so that whenever you walk outside your door you have the potential of running into someone from the program.”
The program also offers workshops at the Boys and Girls Club of Hoboken once a week, which allow mentors to share their talents and knowledge with mentees.
“We’re always trying to challenge the kids in different ways,” said Tully, “and bring people in who are passionate about different topics. [We want] the kids to get exposure to new ideas and opportunities.”
Tully also said that the organization has held various different fundraising events, including last October’s massive scavenger hunt, which is scheduled to repeat again this fall.
Visit www.truementors.org for more information.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.