B Well Foundation Inc

Long shots is an annual 3x3 basketball tournament that gives access to des moines youth, athletes, coaches, and community members to be competitive without a financial obligation. Longshots is a celebration of basketball, art, music, and community, where students gain valuable lessons from community leaders on becoming active citizens dedicated to supporting and nurturing their communities for years to come. At the heart of longshots lies a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. Without the burden of financial obligation, this annual 3x3 basketball tournament and community celebration provides an equal playing field for all - bringing together students of all backgrounds, abilities, and playing levels. This year, we welcomed 20 high school 3x3 teams from des moines public schools, special olympics students from capitol view elementary, breakdancing clubs, and young dancers from our r.a.w. (real afro warriors) creative coaches clubs at king elementary, music by cdisiac, mural art with siricasso, food from steib's bayou and joppa experience, and one-of-a kind basketballs from friends of des moines parks featuring jill wells' beautiful mural.

Art for all is a student-inspired, student-invested project that empowers young people to take an active role in shaping their environment. Students are directly involved in the design and creation of each space, giving them ownership and a voice in transforming their schools. The vision for the tactile mural and sensory wellness space was developed in partnership with educators and administrators at each school, along with jill wells-a renowned local artist and champion for accessibility and diversity. Together, they recognized the need for safe spaces where students can decompress, reset their mental and emotional wellness, and engage their creativity. Thanks to a 50,000 grant from polk county, we brought these visions to life. At goodrell middle school, we transformed the counseling office waiting area into a vibrant wellness space. At ruby van meter school, we reimagined the library into an accessible, interactive mural and sensory wellness space designed for all learners.

The move is an annual gathering of local artists and creatives throughout iowa, featuring varied backgrounds, mediums, and levels of artistry in des moines for connection, exposure and prosperity. This year featured 79 different local artists and new partnerships with the business owners of curate downtown.