Spring Updates: New programs, new funding, and taking the cognitive approach
Greetings to everyone, and happy March.
We haven’t checked in since the holidays and there’s a lot to say. We have new programming and partnerships. We have huge funding news (hint: The Pinkerton Foundation). And... Coach Coop got married! Congratulations, Cooper family!
Let’s get into it...
Our First Big Grant
This is game-changing funding news. At the very end of last year we got word that our grant application to The Pinkerton Foundation was approved. This brings an infusion of $200,000 to fuel BRO X Rites of Passage and Little BRO Summer Camp. Not only is this vital funding, but it comes from one of the most respected youth-centered philanthropic foundations in New York City. Check out more details in our blog post.
We also want to thank The Cowles Charitable Trust for a smaller but still important grant contribution. While we still have more money to raise to hit our 2023 budget of $600k, these grants are a huge boost, and build our confidence and capabilities in raising further funds. If there are foundations or grants you think would be a great fit for B.R.O., let us know!
Activating The BRO Space with programs including Behind the Bars, our lyric-centered transformational series.
The Latest Programming
Our programming catalog has already been super busy this year. We welcomed our second incoming cohort of BRO X Rites of Passage, our four-year transformational curriculum embedded within Frederick Douglass Academy high school in Brownsville. This means we now have 9th and 10th grades active (and will continue until we cover all four). Browse photos from our recent Refefinition Ceremony as the guys received a certificate of recognition from State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman.
Hero Dads
Plus there are three new partnerships to tell you about. We’ve begun hosting the Hero Dads program in partnership with Montefiore Hospital. Hero Dads is a four-week program for fathers with non-custodial children. Through weekly workshops, these dads learn relationship and parenting skills that strengthen bonds with their kids and co-parent, and covers topics including child development, effective parenting, co-parenting communication, and conflict management. More updates to come as this powerful new initiative progresses.
Hunter College
Also, through our new partnership with Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work, we now have four Licensed Clinical Social Workers supporting our young men. This represents a big new element in our mission to provide a holistic suite of services so our young men can get what they need to realize their potential.
Soul B.R.O.
We're also honored to be part of an innovative new partnership launched by Bridge Street, the Brooklyn DA's office, and Columbia University. The Wellness and Community Advocacy Internship Program aims to support young men of color from the surrounding community in gaining emotional intelligence skills and a greater understanding of their collective impact on the neighborhoods in which they live. Our part is to bring in a group of young men as organizational interns, while also hosting them in self-development sessions that leverage music and other Cognitive Behavioral modalities. We're calling this track Soul BRO, and it's designed to help these young men be peer advocates who use their positive energy to create safe environments for community members.
Summer Camp on the Horizon!
And it’s going to be a great (and busy) summer with the return of Little BRO Summer Camp. Stay tuned.
Thoughts from Barry on taking a cognitive behavioral approach...
“Moving quickly in 2023, the things that stand out to me most are growth and sustainability, both in this organization and in my own household. In January I had the privilege of expanding my family by marrying my now-wife Shantini. We realize that the bond of marriage is part of the natural process of our relational evolution. We look to be Authentic, Brave, and Connected in every way in our relationship so we can sustain a healthy and strong family.
The growth of my family is synonymous with the growth in my work. In the journey of building The B.R.O. Experience, our connection process is to be Authentic, Brave, and Connected with our partners, staff, team, and supporters, along with the participants we have the privilege of serving every day.
I personally look to ensure that in every aspect of my life and my work I lead with a cognitive approach. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has allowed me to sustain healthy relationships because it keeps me connected to every experience that I have in a way that lets me check my feelings, ensuring that my behaviors allow me to live a healthy life. This approach has worked for me and countless others and is so impactful and unique, which is why we use it in our work so much. Every young man that we encounter, every program that is created, every empowerment session that we do, the nucleus is CBT. It is the very anchor of The B.R.O. Experience Foundation.”
Calling You to Action
The B.R.O. Experience’s work is gaining momentum and delivering deep value to our communities. We are firm in our belief that one of the best ways to strengthen communities of color is to bring social-emotional and cognitive-behavioral resources to young men. This subtle but powerful work increases wellbeing, reduces violence and justice involvement, boosts academic and economic success, and strengthens families. Our operating budget for 2023 is $600,000 and we still have additional funds to raise to hit that goal. Community donors like you are a vital part of our funding stream, so please consider a tax-deductible donation this month.
Click here to see what your donation can enable
Thank you so much for reading. Please share this newsletter with anyone you think would be moved by it. And you can always reach out to us directly. For all of you who are bringing empowerment to your communities, we thank you!
And if you’re looking for a great event to attend in Brooklyn, check out the Black Men’s Brunch on March 25th with Mayor Adams, Barry Cooper, and other exciting guests.
With relentless intention,
The B.R.O. Experience Team