SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- On Monday, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office held the 10th Annual Hoop-Up Springfield event at American International College.

It was a full day of hands-on experiences for around 200 people aged 11 to 18. While a basketball tournament was involved, it also gave the children access to educational opportunities and job resources.

American International College’s president Nicolle Cestero says it’s a great way to get everyone on campus involved, “It’s definitely grown over the years, which shows the success of the program, and the fact that it’s in its 10th year, I think shows the impact that this program has...So, they get to see, talk to, work out with, do drills with students that come from very similar backgrounds and have made it to higher education. And so, I think that that’s really important for the younger generation to see and be able to connect to.”

The Hoop-Up event also gives our youth the tools to build their futures. We’ll show you how that’s accomplished, on Western Mass News @ 6.