NATCHEZ — Basketball enthusiasts will be afforded the opportunity to take in some action while also supporting a good cause this weekend.

The Open Session Foundation is hosting a fundraiser basketball tournament slated to begin at 5 p.m. Friday, lasting through Saturday at the Natchez High School gymnasium.

The OSF is in its second year of operation, Executive Director Sharonda McKenzie said, adding this weekend’s proceeds will go towards the renovation of the Sadie V Thompson School, which the organization intends to utilize as its headquarters.

“Hopefully we can gain the funds to do some of the necessary repairs,” McKenzie said. “We’ve been turned down by a lot of grants, we just decided to do the next best thing and create a fundraiser.”

McKenzie said the nonprofit organization is geared towards youth development for at-risk students between the ages of 12 and 18 years old.

McKenzie said the plan is to provide programs for students after school, such as agricultural, culinary arts, health and fitness, technology, life skills, and theater and arts.

“These kids are transitioning into child hood, and some are already parents,” McKenzie said. “Everybody is not going to college and so we need to teach them skills so they can earn a good living. We need to show them life skills – how to interview, how to dress for an interview and what to say.”

McKenzie expressed that while the community does an efficient job in providing service for youths, this age in particular needs a productive environment in which to be actively involved in.

McKenzie said she feels some trust issues have lingered from past organizations, and remains hopeful OSF has the potential to move forward in creating a new slate.

“I really want the community to see what we’re doing,” she said. “We’ve been out there trying to promote it, but people aren’t grabbing it as much as I want them to. I’m optimistic they will see somebody is trying to do something positive. Regardless what has happened in the past, lets move forward.”

Jefferson, Claiborne, Franklin and Adams counties will all compete Friday and Saturday in a Champs Title portion of the tournament, which will feature select alumni from the counties.

Saturday, youth teams ranging from ages 12 to 15 will compete from 9 a.m. to noon, with the alumni teams taking back to the court at 3 p.m.

McKenzie said admission will be $6 per person, with concessions on site, along with local disc jockey George Lee of 97.7 radio.

“I’m so stoked (about the event),” McKenzie said. “I’m trying to change the mindset of how people are looking at youth and development at an age group that is not always addressed.”