As the New York Knicks are working daily on becoming a better team, Children’s Village -- a beautiful residential facility for 300 at-risk children -- is transforming those students into more and more productive members of society. Thus it was a natural marriage between the two: ”The first time we were ever here, I knew we would be involved in a very big way,” Knicks Vice President of Community Relations and Fan Development Karin Buchholz said. “We at the Knicks and at the Garden of Dreams Foundation have the assets to make these kids’ dreams come true.”

Above and beyond the Knicks annual basketball clinics, “we heard that Children’s Village had a Students’ Leadership Council -- and that it had no room to meet in,” said Buchholz. “I knew we could help.” What followed was three weeks of hard work and an amazing transformation of an old woodshed into a modern meeting room, beautifully appointed in Knicks colors with a rich rug, comfortable couch, a conference table, three computers, and a huge flat screen color TV.

The result, when finally unveiled in front of the Student Council members and Knicks players Kelvin Cato, David Lee, Jerome James, and Quentin Richardson, left everyone speechless. “Wow,” Council member Courtney Chillious gasped. “It’s like finally having a real home, a place where we can do something for the students.” “It’s gorgeous!” said Children’s Village President and CEO Jeremy C. Kohomban.

“We are a New York institution, have been for 160 years,” said Kohomban. “So the Knicks for us are the home town team in the best sense of the word and in more ways than one. It’s a great honor that the Knicks choose to spend time with us. This relationship is a tremendous inspiration to our kids. The players’ life stories in many instances are rags to riches stories, stories of people who came up in difficult circumstances and earned themselves a second chance. And that, of course, is exactly what Children’s Village is all about.”

The players’ impact is often both immense and immediate. “Three weeks ago, the Knicks were here talking to our kids about working hard to reach your dreams but not to put all your eggs into basketball or, for that matter, into any one basket,” smiled Kohomban. “The next day, at the Student Council meeting, all everyone talked about was ‘I need a Plan B. And a Plan C.”

“It is incredibly powerful for students to hear this from professional players. The power of celebrity, you know.”

"When I was growing up, my Mom and Dad gave me all the opportunities,” said Cato. “So it feels fantastic to be able to provide opportunities for kids who may not have had the same positive circumstances. The kids can talk to us, hang out with us and tell themselves, ‘It’s possible. They made it and so can I.’ It’s real motivation. What we‘re doing here, it’s very important.”

“Any time we can help to steer kids onto the right path and serve as inspiration to them, it’s a great thing,” said Lee. “We all had help from somebody when we were growing up. So we are incredibly excited to be able to help. And this room -- it’s something. I wish I had this room in my apartment, in fact.”

“Every kid deserves a chance,” added Lee. “But not everyone gets off to the best start. People have challenges, obstacles. The players, we understand that. And we are aware that this place has been great to these kids. So we just want to do whatever we can to help.”

“This looks like a room that’ll generate many great ideas,” smiled Lee. “I’m proud that my picture is up there on the wall.” Right next to a framed Knicks uniform shirt that says “Children’s Village” on the back and was signed by every Knicks player, in fact.