Teens Gotta Believe 2018 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Glen Head, N.Y. – North Shore High School students host their Third Annual Teens Gotta Believe benefit tournament, to raise awareness and funds, for the need of forever homes older foster youth on Long Island.

In 2016, North Shore High School student Ryan O’Day, brought to light the urgent need of forever and adoptive families for teens and young adults in the foster care system. O’Day, now a University of Miami freshman, first became aware of the plight of older foster children after reading a memoir listed on his high school’s recommended summer reading, Etched in Sand, A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island. Etched in Sand, written by Long Island attorney and New York Times best selling author Regina Calcaterra, depicts her childhood growing up on Long Island in and out of the foster care system. Her memoir highlights the plight of older foster children who age out of foster care without a parent - many end up homeless, incarcerated or worse. Ms. Calcaterra also emphasizes the critical work of You Gotta Believe, a non-profit whose mission is to assist older youths in foster care to find permanent, adoptive families before they age out.

It was this issue that deeply resonated with O’Day, which prompted his 2016 inaugural charity event, Teens Gotta Believe Basketball Tournament, where he raised community awareness and $8,000 for You Gotta Believe. In 2017, O’Day beat that number by raising $12,000. This year, North Shore High School (“NSHS”) students, Jack Rosencrans, Matthew Saltzman and John Labbate will be continuing O’Day’s legacy by hosting the Third Annual Teens Gotta Believe Tournament on April 28, 2018.

Calcaterra, NSHS administrators, and You Gotta Believe staff and board worked with O’Day to put the event together in. The same team is behind this year’s tournament.

Not only is this endeavor an effective fundraiser, Teens Gotta Believe has served as a public service announcement for what’s at stake when young people in foster care age out of the system at age18 or 21. “Linda,” a prior attendee was inspired to become a foster parent to a teenager after hearing You Gotta Believe youth advocates speak about their experiences. Linda recently completed the licensing requirements to become an adoptive parent and looks forward to being connected to a teen who is awaiting a family.

For O’Day, knowing that his advocacy will be carried on by Rosencrans, Saltzman and Labbate is reassuring, "As the founder of Teens Gotta Believe, I am extremely grateful that John, Jack, and Matt have chosen to take on this great event and this amazing cause, and they have decided to keep it going in the North Shore Community. It truly means a lot to me. I started this event with the help of my mother and Regina Calcaterra, who wrote the book that inspired the entire event, with the thought that if we were able to reach out and help just one person, it would be enough. Now, after 2 successful years, we have helped so many more, and I could not be more proud of what Teens Gotta Believe has become. I am so grateful for these young men for carrying on a great cause near and dear to my heart"

Jack Rosencrans says “I am a junior at North Shore High School and was a part of the basketball program for 4 years. I was inspired to continue the Teens Gotta Believe fundraiser after participating in it myself last April and seeing both Regina talk at the event and the children from Teens Gotta Believe participating in the event. I immediately knew that this cause was really making a difference for kids that are in need of a family.”

“I became aware of the struggles of 18 year old foster teens when Ryan O’Day brought their unique situation to light by bringing the Teens Gotta Believe fundraiser to North Shore High School,” said Matthew Saltzman, a NSHS junior, “I first became aware as a freshman that students across the country, due to circumstances beyond their control, are expected to be emotionally and financially self reliant upon graduating from high school. At a time when most students are just beginning their journey to independence, foster individuals are expected to have mastered it. I am proud to participate in a campaign to help these individuals succeed in attaining their goals and becoming successful adults”

“I was inspired to take on Teens Gotta Believe when I heard about Regina Calcaterra’s story, said NSHS junior John Labbate, “What really hooked me on this event was the fact that Regina’s situation growing up is not even uncommon in the place where I am growing up currently. It made me thankful for what I have but also desire to help those kids and young adults who have much less than me and are struggling to maintain their lives without the adequate support of parents. Last year, I attended the Teens Gotta Believe event as a spectator and this year I am honored to be a co-coordinator.”

This year’s tournament is scheduled for April 28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at North Shore High School in Glen Head. 3 on 3 basketball teams will pay $20 per person, and the funds raised will be donated to You Gotta Believe. Those who don’t plan to play but wish to support the fundraiser can do so at https://www.teensgottabelieve.org. The day will include a few short speeches as well as a book signing by Calcaterra.

Calcaterra has been affiliated with You Gotta Believe since 2005, and is presently on the Board of Believers of the only non-profit organization in the NY Metro area that works to find permanent, adoptive families for youths in foster care. The organization began work in 1995, and works against the backdrop of a region with about 1,000 children who “age out” of the foster care system each year without having a permanent family. Without a permanent family, foster youth aging out today face what many of their peers have and continue to face, homelessness.

“I am thrilled that Jack, Matt and John are continuing Ryan’s compassionate advocacy for You Gotta Believe, and its mission,” Calcaterra said. “Their enthusiasm and commitment to raise awareness about the plight of older foster children, and to raise funds to assist You Gotta Believe in finding them permanent homes, is truly inspiring! The past two events already impacted the lives of many youths who just want something that many of their peers have - a permanent family. I can’t wait to see the impact they will make with this year’s tournament.” Calcaterra said.

O’Day isn’t the only one to be inspired by Calcaterra’s story. Stacie Sugarman and her wife Charissa Naul came to You Gotta Believe to get trained and licensed after reading Etched in Sand. They can now say that “We are the proud new adoptive parents of a great 13 year old girl. Regina Calcaterra’s book, Etched in Sand, helped us to see that children in foster care lack the resources they need to succeed and how support from a family can make all the difference.”

“We are beyond excited that Ryan has inspired Jack, Matt and John to continue what has now become a tradition at North Shore High School. This has become one of our signature events for the past two years and to have it continue even without its founder, has really touched everyone at You Gotta Believe! We know the power of youth to effect change in the work that we do with our foster care alumni. To also see it in young people not at all connected to foster care, is especially inspiring. The combined effort of Jack, Matt, and John building on Ryan’s foundation, we know will make this a stellar year. The Juniors have already advised You Gotta Believe that they plan on exceeding the previous fundraising achievements and we are thrilled by their enthusiasm. In addition to the always needed fundraising aspects, we also hope to encourage more people to find out more about becoming parents and consider coming to an Orientation to find out more.” said Mary Keane, Executive Director of You Gotta Believe.

Please visit www.yougottabelieve.org to find out more about becoming a permanent parent to a young person waiting in foster care. You Gotta Believe holds parent orientations in Bayshore, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. To sign up or learn more about an upcoming orientation, please call (718)372-3003.

Follow You Gotta Believe at (facebook, twitter)

Follow Teens Gotta Believe at (facebook, twitter)

Thank you to the sponsors of this event: North Shore Tri-M honors society, Men on the Move, Holiday Farms, North Shore Debate Club, Shelter Rock Church, North Shore Key Club, North Shore Student Government Organization, Big Valley, Total event solutions, Community Coupons, James P O’Day, among others.

If you can't attend the event, please donate to the cause at www.teensgottabelieve.org.