• Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program

    WHJESP Summer 2025 Sports Programs Registration Now Open! For over 40 years, WHJESP has provided free summer programs for our community’s youth. Our programs remain free, but to help offset costs, we’re introducing a $20 non-refundable registration fee per child, granting access to all summer sports clinics and activities.

  • We are excited to offer a wide range of free summer activities for youth of all ages and skill levels. Please review the options above and click "Register" next to the sport(s) of your choice to complete your registration. Some programs have limited space and will close registration once capacity is reached. Each link will take you directly to the appropriate registration form. These programs are made possible through the generous support of our community sponsors! We look forward to seeing you this summer!

  • Program Locations & Dates:

    Swim – Register
    The Belle Center, 104 Maryland St.
    Ongoing Every Friday | 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

    Ages 6-16

    Volleyball – Register
    St. John's Family Life & Wellness Center, 833 Michigan Ave.
    July 21 – August 1 | 3 PM – 6 PM
    • 3 PM – 4 PM: Beginners (5th–8th grade)
    • 4 PM – 6 PM: Intermediate (9th–12th grade)

     Canisius University Koessler Center, 1829 Main St.
    August 4 – 8 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
    • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Beginners (5th–8th grade)
    • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Intermediate (9th–12th grade)

     Riverside Park (Between Niagara, Crowley, Vulcan, and Tonawanda Streets)
    July 28 – August 15 | 4 PM – 6 PM
    • Open to 5th–12th graders

     Basketball – Register
    Buffalo State University – Houston Gym
    Saturdays: July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9 | 12 PM – 2 PM
    • Boys & Girls ages 6–16

      Soccer – Register
    MLK Humboldt Park
    July 7 – 25 | 9 AM – 12 PM

     Riverside Park (Between Niagara, Crowley, Vulcan, and Tonawanda Streets)
    July 28 – August 15 | 9 AM – 12 PM

    Ages 5-16

     Baseball & Softball – Register
    McCarthy Park, 304 E. Amherst St.
    • Baseball: July 21 – August 8 | 10 AM – 12 PM
    • Softball: July 21 – August 8 | 10 AM – 12 PM

    Ages 6-16

     Tennis – Register

    McMillan Courts (Delaware Park)
    July 21 – August 8 | 1:30 PM – 3 PM

    Ages 6-16

    Crew - Register

    West Side Rowing Club1 Rotary Row Buffalo, NY 14201

    Half Day Session 1 (July 7th - 18th)
    Half Day Session 2 (July 21st - August 1st)
    Full Day Session 3 (July 7th - 11th)
    Full Day Session 4 (July 14th - 18th)
    Full Day Session 5 (July 21st - July 25th)
    Full Day Session 6 (July 28th - August 1st)

    Ages 11-16

    *Have To Know How To Swim*


    Sponsored Special Events (No Registration Fee Required)

    • Softball/Baseball League – Walden (Bakos) Park – Register
    May 31 – July 11 | Ages 7–16

     • PlayBall Weekend – Walden (Bakos) Park – Register
    June 14 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Ages 5–15

     • Pitch, Hit & Run Contest – Delaware Park – Register
    July 26 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Ages 7-8. 9-10, 11-12, 13-14

     • Soccer League Play (Teams Only, Middle School Age) – Register
    July 9 – August 9 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
    Tuesdays – Ages 6–8
    Thursdays – Ages 9–11
    Saturdays – 10 AM – 2 PM (Games Only)

    •WHJESP Basketball Summer League 2025 - Register

    St. John's Family Life & Wellness Center, 833 Michigan Ave.
    13U Co-ed League (Teams Only): July 12 – August 18, Saturday and Sundays only

     

  • How Did You Hear About Us

    Every day our community faces new challenges that increase the need for our work. To do that, we need your help. When you donate to Willie Hutch Jones Education and Sports Program, you are improving the community by making the WHJESP program free to all people who otherwise could not pay for services. Your donation, regardless of size, helps address critical needs and concern in our neighborhood. Some examples are: Improving the academic gap, fighting hunger and food insecurity, keeping children of all ages safe, and Secure access to health and wellness resources.

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