by April | Career Development
Our October Workshop focused on Personal Branding and Careers in Law Enforcement and from 8 AM – Noon we covered the following:
Hour One – Workshop Kickoff – Expectations and Filling out paperwork
Hour Two – Social Skills/Educational Development – Discussion on Personal Branding by Pastor Eddie Baltrip
– Importance of First Impressions
– How to Dress for Each Occasion
– Impact of Social Media
Hour Three – Professional Development – Careers in Law Enforcement and Federal Agent Opportunities
Officer Akaan Thomas & Lieutenant Steven Hutchinson from The San Diego Police Department stopped by to speak to the young men on career opportunities in law enforcement. They also talked about the current climate of what’s going on in the world and openly answered any and all questions asked. The officers also offered the opportunity to take the guys on a ride along to which many of the young men ecstatically accepted
Ehren Thompson also stopped by to discuss what it takes to become a Federal Agent. This a long checklist including a degree, detailed background check and long drawn out test. He emphasized that the job is not for the feint of heart and is very detail oriented.. After all you are responsible for the security of our Nation.
Hour Four – Discussing core fundamentals such as SAT, ACT, and Essay Writing with some additional classes like FAFSA & Financial Aid and College Careers & Majors.
by April | Volunteerism
We volunteered and providing water for participants in the San Diego Hip Hop 5k fun run. The overall goal of this 5k is to create a surge of positive energy and forward thinking in the residents of southeastern San Diego. We intend to accomplish this by demonstrating the wonders of physical activity, creativity and imagination with a combination of ART, FITNESS, CULTURE and COMMUNITY. Through this event we hope to rejuvenate the spirit of the people
With over 250 participants people trekked a 3.1 mile walk/run through Southeast San Diego together through our neighborhoods in a show of solidarity, health and innovative thought. The goal of this 5k was to encourage both and youngest and old to participate. This is a call to combat the numerous preventable illnesses that plague Americans today: diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure and obesity.
There were numerous activities throughout the day including a wonderful line up of local artists from the jazz and neo soul, world to the hip hop and R&B world gracing the stage. a Calisthenics group from Harlem called the Bartendaz coming out to do some pull ups and push ups with us. Pull ups and push ups like you’ve never seen before, the skill level of this group was simply amazing.
There was also a vegan soul food truck t along with about 30 other vendors selling cloths, oils, soaps and handing out information. A 20 foot climbing wall to use, a fire truck for the kids, face painting, competitions like dodge ball and tug of war. So much stuff, dancers, an art gallery, CPR classes, yoga classes, massage tables and much more!
San Diego is home to many fitness enthusiasts and hosts numerous marathons every year. This year, was the first ever 5k marathon in the southeastern area. Named the Hip Hop 5k, its purpose is to combine fitness with art, and also educate people about the importance of exercise and healthy eating. We were thrilled to be a part of this phenomenal event and thank Dawud Tarley and Corina Rose for allowing us to volunteer and be a part of such a wonderful event… See you next year!
by April | Education
Our monthly from 8 AM – Noon workshops take place the Second Saturday of each month. The curriculum will include but not be limited to the following:
Hour One – Workshop Kickoff – Expectations and Filling out paperwork (If needed)
Hour Two – Social Skills/Educational Development – Discussion
How to dress for every occasion presented by Mathew Gordon
– Video and conversation on:
– Casual
– Business Casual
– Business
– Black Tie (Formal)
Hour Three – Professional Development – Careers in Education
Roosevelt Johnson – MAN Up!
Dr. Shalom Akili
Professionals attend and speak for 10-15 minutes on their career and what it took to successfully achieve their current career
Hour Four – AKA Debutante Ball presentation &
Catherine Hong will present on The San Diego Public Library’s 2015 Session of Admit One Starting October 1st there will be a series of sessions covering core fundamentals such as SAT, ACT, and Essay Writing with some additional classes like FAFSA & Financial Aid and College Careers & Majors.
by April | Volunteerism
Rising early Saturday morning, young men from the Blue Heart Foundation set out to volunteer at a stair climb held to honor firefighters, police and other emergency personnel killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. The San Diego Firefighter 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb challenged 
firefighters, police, military personnel and civilians to ascend 110 stories at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. It began at 7 a.m.
Each year, approximately 100 firefighters die while serving their communities. Many more die from cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, stroke, and other injuries and illnesses suffered as a result of their service. But we worked together to honor these sacrifices and care for the firefighters who assume these risks and the families who share them.
Each volunteer assisted by helping with setup, passing out water and then taking the trek up the stairs to challenge
themselves as well as pay homage to those that paid the ultimate price that day. We climbed in the memory, and honor of the 343 FDNY Brothers, 23 NYPD Brothers and Sisters, and 37 Port Authority Brothers and Sisters, and to raise awareness of the sacrifices made by firefighters everywhere.
Each climber received a badge and photo representing one of the 403 firefighters, police officers, Port Authority officers and emergency medical personnel who died in the terrorist attacks. “This event brings tears to your eyes, makes you proud to be an American and gives you a great workout all at once,” said Carlyle Wund of Firefighter Aid, which is organizing the climb. “It unites firefighters and the general public in the spirit of support and remembrance.”
Funds raised benefited FirefighterAid (formerly the San Diego Firefighters’ Benevolent Fund,) the 501(c)(3) charity which cares for Firefighters and families through sickness, distress, and death.
by April | Community, Team Building, Uncategorized
The Blue Heart Foundation in partnership with the Old Globe Theater treated a night out for the youth and families to a viewing of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors”. We are a locally based mentoring program that is focused on the empowerment and education of under-served children and foster youth. Our program is based on three categories: 1) Abilities, 2) Applications, and 3) Character which are developed by education, empowerment and teamwork.
As part of our program we feel it important to expose youth to events they may not normally have the opportunity to see and in this instance we viewed 
Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors”. The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins that were accidentally separated at birth. This jazz-drenched New Orleans setting of the Old Globe’s just-opened production was presented with a ‘20s makeover, with brass bands marching through at scene breaks and the cast busting out such old-time jazz standards.”
There were points throughout when musicians saunters about onstage to play soulful accompaniments that kept the entire crowd engaged and excellent ensemble work all around. However, certain moments that stood out were: A barn-burning, revival-meeting scene featuring a hilarious turn by Austin Durant as a faith-healing Dr. Pinch… “Youve been healed!” of every issue from baldness to gout … He just couldn’t cure bad credit.
We believe culturally enriching field trips matter. They produce significant benefits for students on a variety of educational outcomes that schools and communities care about. The effects of field trips to see live theater demonstrates that seeing plays is an effective way to teach academic content; increases our youth’s tolerance by providing exposure to a broader, more diverse world; and improves the ability of students to recognize what other people are thinking or feeling. These are significant benefits for students on specific educational outcomes that schools pursue and communities respect. Especially when considered alongside our community service efforts.
Lastly, you can never know what may impact a child’s life. Not all learning occurs most effectively within the walls of a school building. Going on enriching field trips to cultural institutions makes effective use of all of a community’s resources for teaching children. You can never know what may impact a child’s life.
– Importance of First Impressions
