Arizona AAU Member Spotlight
- Gregory A Strickling
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Phoenix PD’s Hoops 4 Hope Program Empowering Youth Through Basketball and Life Skills
By Arizona AAU Director Gregory Strickling
Scottsdale Arizona
June 9th, 2025
From Adversity to Empowerment
The Birth of Hoops 4 Hope In 2009, Jen Kuleff, a dedicated Phoenix Police Department officer, transformed personal hardship into a force for good. After enduring a critical incident on duty, she founded Hoops 4 Hope, a mentorship program leveraging basketball to connect law enforcement with Phoenix youth. Initially focused on teenage girls mentored by female officers, the program has since expanded to serve both boys and girls, blending athletics with life skills to uplift teens who need it most.
Now a proud member of the Arizona AAU, Hoops 4 Hope exemplifies the organization’s mission to foster growth, inclusivity, and opportunity through sports.
More Than a Game: Building Confidence on and Off the Court Hoops 4 Hope’s dual approach sets it apart:
On the Court: Jen prioritizes players overlooked by traditional teams, offering small rosters (capped at 10) to rebuild confidence through focused coaching. “These kids need someone to believe in them,” she says. “We meet them where they are and help them grow as players and people.”
Off the Court: The program equips teens with practical skills, from college prep to car maintenance. All mentors are volunteer Phoenix PD officers—from patrol officers to chiefs—bridging gaps between youth and law enforcement.
The Arizona Spartans, Hoops 4 Hope’s inaugural AAU boys’ team, debuted this year, with plans to launch a girls’ team soon.
Life Skills That Change Futures: Hoops 4 Hope amplifies its impact through collaborative events:
College Night: U of Arizona, ASU, GCU, NAU, and ACU representatives will guide families through higher education pathways.
Safety Workshops: Teens learn “What to Do During a Traffic Stop,” car emergency skills (changing tires, jump-starting batteries), and First Aid/CPR certification.
Career Exploration: A pilot program connects teens with professionals in their fields of interest, pairing mentorship with real-world exposure.
Hoops 4 Hope’s focus on accessibility and holistic development mirrors Arizona AAU’s commitment to community-driven athletics. “Being part of the AAU network allows us to reach more kids and reinforce our message: You belong here,” says Jen. Future goals include expanding teams and deepening ties with Arizona AAU’s resources to empower even more youth.
Hoops 4 Hope is more than a program—it’s proof that a ball, a court, and a community can rewrite futures. Together, we’re turning layups into lifelines and rebounds into resilience.