OUR MISSION

 

To inspire disadvantaged youth in the greater Bridgeport area to create opportunities for their own success!

This program is built around a multi day camp format. With basketball as the hook, our physical training will be supplemented by sessions with outside speakers on a variety of topics to motivate our youth.

“Our program will engage the youth and provide them with guidance on valuable life skills”

Coach Frank Oleynick

WHO WE ARE

  • A not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged youth in the greater Bridgeport area

  • Many people offer basketball programs; many offer counseling; we offer an integrated program combining the two

  • Our program will integrate basketball training with instruction on life skills

  • Training sessions are supplemented with a variety of life skills’ guidance ranging from education emphasis to social skills to job readiness.

    • Basketball fundamentals are analogous to life skills, eg • Teamwork, proper preparation, communication & trust.

Frank Oleynick

Basketball has been an integral part of my life. Starting with All State at Notre Dame High School in Bridgeport to All American at Seattle University, and ultimately the NBA.

Coaching youth basketball (via Future Stars) in the greater Bridgeport area has been my passion for the last 25 years with over 10,000 inner city and suburban kids through the program.

One over-riding observation: our youth in the inner city have significant disadvantages compared to their counterparts in the suburbs.

David Gerics

David Gerics is a retired senior Finance and Strategy executive. He began his career in 1979 at Arthur Andersen & Co. where he was both an Audit Manager and Tax Manager in their Stamford, CT office. At that time Arthur Andersen was one of the largest accounting firms in the
world.

He then worked at Cadbury Schweppes (“CS”) from 1988 through 2008 in a variety of senior Finance roles. He worked extensively on CS M&A projects and was the senior Finance lead on iconic brand acquisitions like A&W, Dr Pepper/7UP, Snapple Beverages, and Hawaiian Punch.

Beginning in 2010 Mr. Gerics provided strategy consulting services to International Flavors & Fragrances (”IFF”), and then was appointed as IFF’s Vice President, Corporate Development. In this role he provided oversight for IFF’s strategy development and managed M&A activities.

Mr. Gerics left IFF in 2015 and currently operates as a strategy and finance consultant.

Susan Riccio

Susan was born in Bridgeport and raised in Trumbull .  She is a graduate of Lauralton Hall and Boston College.   
Susan was Senior Vice President of Kasper Group, and Engineering Architectural firm until 1999 .  She is the Managing Member of Newtown Shopping Village , Newtown ,CT 


Always being involved and donating her time to her community has been a constant. She served as Executive Aid during the 1989 Barnum Festival. Susan served on the Alumnae  board of Lauralton Hall for over 20 years as President and Vice President and worked on many fundraising events .

Susan is so pleased and committed to be part of this organization to help provide opportunities to the young people in the community in a positive environment!

Peter Perillo

Peter Perillo was born in Naples, Italy and immigrated in 1964 to Bridgeport CT at the age of 7 with his parents and younger brother. He is a “proud”, product of Bridgeport Public Schools and has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sacred Heart University.

He served three years in the Marine Corps, earning the rank of corporal and received a Meritorious Mast. After the service, Peter entered into the family business of owning and operating four Subway Sub Shop franchises in Bridgeport.

After nearly 25 successful years in the food business he transitioned into the hotel industry and has been a general manager for Marriott and Red Roof Inns. He is actively involved with veterans, civic and community activities in the Bridgeport area, and is the Head Varsity Tennis Coach at Notre Dame H.S. 

Ellen Redgate

Ellen was born and raised in Bridgeport and is a graduate of Central High School, the University of Bridgeport and Boston College.  She is a retired school counselor with 40 years of experience as an educator. 

Ellen began her career in education as a Social Studies teacher at Bassick High School. She went on to earn a Masters degree in Counseling from Boston College. She has worked as a counselor for 35 years at the elementary, middle and high school levels in  Bridgeport, Foxborough, Massachusetts, Greenwich and Westport, CT.

She is honored to work with The Hoops and Dreams Foundation and looks forward to helping the campers reach their full potential.

Reginald Walker

Reginald Walker has over 40 years of public service in the Bridgeport community,as a former city planner &director of the city of Bridgeport's planning and economic development department. MR.Walker was also the CEO/PRESIDENT of Hall Neighboorhood House ,a local non-profit in Bridgeport.Mr Walker has extensive experience in non-profit administration & grantsmanship.