Our Program
Brothas and Sistas United (BSU) is run year round throughout the school year from 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. including a full summer program from 1-4 p.m., Mon-Fri.
We provide these services to the youth:
A View From Within - Jed Gaffron
I find it amazing working with the kids at Brothas and Sistas United (BSU). I have learned a lot about their lives and culture by hanging out with them in BSU the last three years. Most if these kids live very hard lives. Many youth face the struggles of poverty such as: living in and out of homeless shelters; constantly around substance abuse; parents in and out of their lives; dealing with rejection (from those who are supposed to love them); and never really having any stability in their lives. The outcomes are - unstable youth.
They call being tough “hard”, and it’s so true. They harden their hearts so they won’t have to feel pain. The harder they are the more they don’t care, the more they don’t care the more destructive they become, to themselves and those around them. Leaving them with their guard up at all times and so reserved. They don’t learn or know how to express how they feel when they’re hurt or sad and that hurt just sits inside them until it erupts in a destructive manner.
My action to counter this constant struggle in the lives of these youth is simple, but I’ve seen results from it, my action is to lavish them with Love through actions and words. These youth are in such need for love, I feel that love is the only thing that can soften those hardened hearts. And I mean a true love, love in its purest form, and that is the love of Christ. That is the love they need and that is the love we share.
Youth need to know someone cares about them, that they have someone in their corner cheering for them to succeed. Our goal at BSU and my heart’s desire is to shower these youth with love; to be their cheering section in life; and help them to succeed and climb out of the hole they were born in.
Brothas and Sistas United (BSU) is run year round throughout the school year from 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. including a full summer program from 1-4 p.m., Mon-Fri.
We provide these services to the youth:
- After-school tutoring/homework help
- Sports and recreational games
- Small group Life Skills discussion
- Clubs (music, dance, film, cooking, and job training.)
- “Big Buddy” one-on-one mentoring
- Summer drop-in—indoor and outdoor recreational activities
- Special events—e.g. summer camp, Great America, water parks, Christmas party, Thanksgiving celebration, etc.
A View From Within - Jed Gaffron
I find it amazing working with the kids at Brothas and Sistas United (BSU). I have learned a lot about their lives and culture by hanging out with them in BSU the last three years. Most if these kids live very hard lives. Many youth face the struggles of poverty such as: living in and out of homeless shelters; constantly around substance abuse; parents in and out of their lives; dealing with rejection (from those who are supposed to love them); and never really having any stability in their lives. The outcomes are - unstable youth.
They call being tough “hard”, and it’s so true. They harden their hearts so they won’t have to feel pain. The harder they are the more they don’t care, the more they don’t care the more destructive they become, to themselves and those around them. Leaving them with their guard up at all times and so reserved. They don’t learn or know how to express how they feel when they’re hurt or sad and that hurt just sits inside them until it erupts in a destructive manner.
My action to counter this constant struggle in the lives of these youth is simple, but I’ve seen results from it, my action is to lavish them with Love through actions and words. These youth are in such need for love, I feel that love is the only thing that can soften those hardened hearts. And I mean a true love, love in its purest form, and that is the love of Christ. That is the love they need and that is the love we share.
Youth need to know someone cares about them, that they have someone in their corner cheering for them to succeed. Our goal at BSU and my heart’s desire is to shower these youth with love; to be their cheering section in life; and help them to succeed and climb out of the hole they were born in.