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.
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.
It was a beautiful Saturday morning when The Blue Heart Foundation met with partner organization Outdoor Outreach for a two day Surf Camp trip. The next two days would open the mind and challenge the young men of HEART to come together as a team and live outside of their element. Both organizations utilize outside the box experiences to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults. Two primary drivers facilitate positive transformation in the youth we both serve: 1) the opportunity for ongoing experiences that are safe, fun, positive and challenging, and 2) the relationships built and deepened within these organizations.
As we took to the road all were excited and looking forward to an experience that few had previously experienced… From the start, excitement filled the air as the group arrived to their destination where sand and surf waited. Brothers Jamil and Amir were initially hesitant but once the safety and surf lesson was complete took to the water as if it was a natural experience. Jamil normally quite reserved would later say “Man, I had a great time … Yeah I’d do it again” with huge smile.
After lunch the group packed up and prepared to head to San Clemente State Beach for the rest of the weekend. San Clemente State Beach is located at the south end of the city of San Clemente, California. The area around San Clemente is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish Colonial style architecture. The city slogan is “Spanish Village by the Sea.” Visitors are attracted to the San Clemente area for its intense winds and dramatic location. Park Hours 6:00 am-10:00 pm
The beautiful mile long beach stretches between the curling ocean surf and the foot of a steep bluff was the perfect setting to set up camp and spend time away from the inner city. First thing, first the young men set up camp, pitching four six person tents and getting their area prepared to spend the night. Once done it was off to the beach again… Now these waves were no joke. Kameron marveled saying “Wow… These are way bigger than the last beach!” as he grabbed his boogie board sprinting toward the crash waves. After a couple hours in the water it was time to head up for dinner.
The evening wrapped up with time to watch the sun go down and learn a higher appreciation of each other as well as life. Next thing you know Smore’s wear on deck and once all had their fill one by one each young man hit the tent for a night’s sleep. The next morning there were pancakes and more of the same surfing and fun. Julien framed the time perfectly by saying “it was nice to get away and just chill with the bro’s…I definitely want to do it again.”
Through these experiences our guys garner a sense of achievement, which increases their confidence, self-esteem and resilience, and enables them to see new possibilities for their lives. Our youth form long-term mentor relationships through these types of experiences. When youth consistently show up and are supported, it allows them to break out of the negative cycles in their lives, like drugs, gangs, poverty, abuse, and neglect, and replace them with new positive cycles.
Thursday, Aug. 21st we joined The San Diego Padres Volunteer Team in sorting and bagging over 8000 lbs of nectarines at the San Diego Food Bank to help fight against hunger. Presented by Toyota the Padres Volunteer Team is a county-wide volunteer force created to give back to the greater San Diego area. It calls up Padres fans to join with our players, alumni and staff to donate their time to San Diego’s nonprofits, civic organizations, and Padres Foundation activities.
Our joint mission is to build awareness of and inspire participation in serving the greater San Diego community. Our vision is to inspire volunteer service that benefits the greater San Diego community. As Peyerre Hart would later state ” It was fun hanging out with the guys and helping people at the same time.”
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 22.3 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank served, on average, 370,000 people per month in San Diego County.
The Food Bank receives food from the USDA, food manufacturers, food retailers, the agricultural sector, food drives, and through financial contributions that enable us to purchase protein-rich foods, fresh produce, and dry staple foods such as beans, oatmeal, and rice. The also benefit from the generosity of more than 28,000 volunteers annually that help to sort and distribute donated and purchased food products and on this day we were proud to join them. Jamil Duke shared “It was good to help people, I’m glad the fruit is being distributed to people that can’t afford food.”
On the campus of San Diego State University, Saturday July 18th it was a busy day for The Blue Heart Foundation. A day that will continue to develop the minds and determination of the young men of HEART (H.E.A.R.T) as they begin to prepare for the 2015-2016 school year. Focusing on their personal and professional future today was an important piece in learning to market them both visually and on paper. Jacques Morgan (HEART Member) would go on to say “Saturday’s event was a great experience, it really opened my eyes into possibilities and opportunities in the world. All the presentations were great and made me want to achieve more.”
The day started with a professional magazine photoshoot with the team of RLM – Real Legit Magazine and Valerie Johnson (The Multi MediaDiva). A two time “Hollywood Award Winning” Magazine, Real Legit Magazine was co-founded by Ron Morales and Latricia R. Price showcasing unique high fashion styles with Celebrities nationally as well as internationally on the red carpet beautifully captured the essence of our young men.
After what was an exciting photoshoot our guys will never forget, it was time to take care of business with our education empowerment workshops. These Interactive college prep workshops presented by Shana Collins and Anthony Haile Jr. from San Diego’s HBCU network and Cal SOAP included:
– The Morehouse College Experience
– Value of Education
Shana Collins of San Diego’s HBCU Alumni Network stated “Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of this program, the young men from the Blue Heart Foundation are both sharp and talented gentlemen.
Followed by a Meet and Greet and lunch with Yousef Abraham Assistant Coordinator of San Diego State University’s Center for Intercultural Relations
The day’s events closed with a workshop on preparing your personal statement when applying for college admission presented by Karla Whitaker from CalSOAP. This workshop is critical to defining how young men perceive themselves as well as learn the ability to market themselves as an assert to universities in which they apply. Dallas Edge would later say “The college entry essay workshop provided me with information that I was not previously informed on, and I am glad to have attended it.”
We firmly believe in work/life balance and it is important to feed and build up all aspects of a young man. This includes Character, Service as well as Educational Empowerment. With these things in mind the belief is that each young man can be taught the value of education as well as the value of self-worth and esteem.
firefighters, police, military personnel and civilians to ascend 110 stories at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel. It began at 7 a.m.
Diego’s HBCU network and Cal SOAP included:
