The Latino community continues to be the fastest growing and youngest sector of our city’s population.  The Latino community, however, has faced serious adverse social and economic conditions with the recent rise in gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. As a result, the recent increase in youth crime across the city and the disproportionately high poverty and educational dropout rates are among the challenges these young people face in our city.  Despite this, Latinos have been making progress.  Labor participation rates have increased and educational achievement levels have experienced steady improvements.  But as most studies will indicate, a lack of after school programming and recreational activity has left a generation of young people open to the adverse temptations posed by the culture of some of our most poverty-stricken inner-city streets. Organized sports, complemented by alternative educational programming have proven to be an effective response in filling this vacuum.  For Latinos in particular, sports are not simply a pastime – it is an integral part of our heritage.  It represents a unique venue that promotes healthy competition, mutual respect and teamwork.