By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

CLANTON — The Clanton Housing Authority has established a program to give children who are residents the opportunity to participate in YMCA of Chilton County sports teams.

About 12 students have received sponsorships to play basketball and cheer in the Y League with more expected in the coming sport seasons.

Ron Jones, executive director of the Clanton Housing Authority, said he and the board of directors began discussing ways to provide sport opportunities to the children at the Clanton Housing Authority after attending a state meeting and seeing what other housing authorities were doing.

“Some of the larger authorities have a youth sports program. Since we are a small agency I was trying to figure out how we could do something for the kids even though we have a small staff,” Jones said.

He did not have to look far to find an answer. The YMCA is across the street from some of the Housing Authority apartments.

“We have been fortunate to have a few good years and show a little bit of profit through our apartments,” Jones said.

This allowed the housing authority to fund the sports sponsorships. Jones said the funds were in addition to what the authority needed to keep in reserve.

“We are hoping that while we have the funds available, we can continue this from year to year,” Jones said.

He said sponsorships will be available to children at the Clanton Housing Authority for each of the sports offered by the Y.

“We hope many more sign up,” Jones said. “I think it is a good thing. It’s a way that we can give back to the community … I hope everybody takes advantage of it.”

Casey Welch of the Clanton Housing Authority said the program was “a great advantage for the kids.” He said he was thankful to Jones and the board for implementing the idea. Parents of those participating were also grateful for the opportunity for their child.

Lori Patterson, director of the YMCA, said practices began this month and games will begin next month. Each team in the local league will play the other local teams. Games are held on Saturday. There are six to eight students on a team.

More than 100 students participate in the league.