San Francisco
Chapter
AMB's San Francisco chapter — based in the Western Addition and led by Lawrence C. Gray Jr. — is home to the nationally recognized SCARED STIFF gun violence prevention program and serves as the base for AMB's national headquarters.
Midnight Basketball in the Western Addition
The San Francisco Chapter has been a cornerstone of AMB's mission for over three decades. Rooted in the Western Addition — one of San Francisco's most historically underserved and culturally rich neighborhoods — this chapter brings AMB's proven model to a community where late-night programming is not just beneficial, but essential.
Under the leadership of Director Lawrence C. Gray Jr., the chapter operates the AMBLP (AMB Late-Night Program) model and is the birthplace of the nationally recognized SCARED STIFF gun violence prevention curriculum. Larry Gray Jr. was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award for his lifesaving community work in San Francisco.
The chapter serves as the base for AMB's national headquarters at 28 Geary Street, Suite 625, making San Francisco central to everything AMB does across all 16 active chapters nationwide.
SCARED STIFF Gun Violence Prevention
Developed in San Francisco's Western Addition by Lawrence C. Gray Jr., SCARED STIFF is AMB's nationally deployed gun violence prevention curriculum. Using powerful survivor testimonials, community dialogue, and real-world narratives, the program confronts gun violence head-on — meeting youth where they are and delivering messages that stick.
The program has been recognized with a Jefferson Award — one of America's most prestigious civic honors — for its measurable impact on reducing gun violence in the communities it serves.
Lawrence C. Gray Jr. received the Jefferson Award — one of America's highest civic honors — for his SCARED STIFF gun violence prevention work in San Francisco.
San Francisco Chapter Story
See the San Francisco chapter's work covered by CBS 5 and community advocates.
Chapter Programs
Comprehensive late-night youth development programming in the heart of San Francisco.
AMBLP Midnight Basketball
The AMB Late-Night Program model in action — competitive leagues running during peak crime hours in the Western Addition, giving young people a reason to stay in, not out.
SCARED STIFF Program
AMB's nationally deployed gun violence prevention curriculum — born right here in San Francisco. Survivor testimonials, community dialogue, and real consequences delivered directly to at-risk youth.
Life Skills Workshops
Employment readiness, financial literacy, resume building, conflict resolution, and GED prep — conducted as mandatory pre-game sessions every game night.
Education & Career Pathways
Connections to City College of San Francisco, vocational training, internship opportunities, and Bay Area employers committed to second-chance hiring.
Police & Community Engagement
Building trust between San Francisco youth and SFPD through structured dialogue, shared activities, and AMB's proven police-community engagement framework.
National HQ Resources
As the home of AMB's national headquarters, the SF chapter connects participants directly to national training resources, grants support, and the full AMB chapter network.
Transforming San Francisco Youth
Decades of consistent, trusted programming in the Western Addition — a chapter built on relationships and results.
Over a thousand San Francisco young people have passed through AMB's doors — and left with more than basketball skills.
Director Larry Gray Jr. recognized with the prestigious Jefferson Award for his SCARED STIFF gun violence prevention work.
Get Involved
Program Schedule
- League Nights: Friday & Saturday, 10pm–2am
- Life Skills: Weekly pre-game sessions
- SCARED STIFF: Monthly community sessions
- Spring & Fall program seasons
Who Can Participate
- Ages 17–25, male and female
- San Francisco / Bay Area residents
- Free to all participants
- Life skills attendance required
Location
Western Addition, San Francisco
San Francisco County
National Headquarters:
28 Geary Street, Suite 625
San Francisco, CA 94108
Contact
Email: [email protected]
or [email protected]
Phone: (888) 985-8450
Send a Message
San Francisco's Future Starts Here
Join AMB's San Francisco chapter — a 35-year legacy of midnight basketball, community safety, and youth transformation in the heart of the Bay Area.