by April | Education
This past weekend on the campus of San Diego State University’s Calpulli Center marking the launch of The Blue Heart Foundations H.E.A.R.T. Workshops (Higher Education And Rising Together). The H.E.A.R.T. mentoring workshops focus on assisting young men in high school understand what it takes to matriculate to a four year university but what it takes to succeed once there. Each workshop will vary but at the same time rooted in driving and empowering members towards goals of higher achievement.
Our workshops include but are not limited to 1) “Checking in” and addressing any issues or roadblocks these young men may be running into as well as celebrating any accomplishments achieved. 2) 
Education – Periodically there is SAT/ACT prep as well as workshops on how to avoid “Test Anxiety presented by CalSOAP 3) Professional Development – This is when guest speakers come and present on behalf of their organizations as well as speak on what is required to succeed in their respective fields. 4) Personal Develop ranges from preparing the members of H.E.A.R.T. for the challenges that lay with pursuing a higher education as well as the “soft skills” every young man should have in his tool belt.
Our first workshop covered our academic expectations, conversations and careers with the San Diego Police Department and San Diego Fire Department along with an introduction to SDSU’s Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB). We also had the opportunity to present $1000 grant to two incoming SDSU freshmen Rabi Ahmed and Andre Wortham. Our grant awards specifically target young men in the San Diego community that plan to focus on STEM based majors. We want to thank Dr. Aaron Bruce San Diego State University’s Chief of Diversity Affairs for assisting in the presentation of these awards. We also want to recognize Dr. Bruce’s efforts for finding a fitting venue to enrich the live s of the young men that will one day attend college and in hopes many will be Aztecs.
Pictured with Dr Aaron Bruce are incoming freshmen Rabi Ahmed and Andre Wortham both of whom recieved financial grants
by April | Community, Team Building
Watching the San Diego State State Aztecs dominate NAU 38-7 after tailgating was a perfect way to start off the 2014-2015 school year. The young men participating in the H.E.A.R.T. mentoring program were truly in for a treat on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. The victory in front of an announced crowd of 30,761 at Qualcomm Stadium showed flashes of how good the team could become.
The same could be said of the young men of H.E.A.R.T. of which 10 young men with unlimited potential will come together and devote themselves towards aspirations of a higher education. Many of these young men could “fall through the cracks” due to lack of resources and/or opportunities afforded in the public education system. What we address are the other needs that young men need to make better decisions, learn to be goal oriented as well as focus on character development.
This is an exciting time in these young men’s lives and we are looking forward to watching and tracking the growth of these ten young men as they work to achieve success together. Be sure to watch their growth and cheer them on as they strive to reach their potential and beyond.
by April | Community, Team Building
H.E.A.R.T. had the opportunity to visit the Musuem of Tolerance in Los Angeles, CA. During this event there are many things that occurred that benefited the youth, the quality time shared with each other, the opportunity to see something they had not experienced before, the opportunity to meet one of the holocaust survivors (William Shaffer); the sit down lunch at Roscoe’s, and of of course, the anaconda finale.
The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an internationally renowned Jewish human rights organization. The only 
museum of its kind in the world, the MOT is dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today.
Established in 1993, the MOT has welcomed over five million visitors, mostly middle and high school students. Visitors become witnesses to history and explore the dynamics of bigotry and discrimination that are still embedded in society today. Through interactive exhibits, special events, and customized programs for youths and adults, the Museum engages visitors’ hearts and minds, while challenging them to assume personal responsibility for positive change.
Perhaps no other institution offers such a motivational mix of historical discovery and personal empowerment. I believe these children’s lives were changed and can only have a positive impact going forward. Let’s work to be sure they have the opportunity to grow uninhibited. After all doesn’t every child deserve a childhood. 
by April | Community, Team Building
August 2nd, 2014 – We are proud to have attended and support Tamera Hill’s Play “I Never Heard my Father Speak,”. Everyday, thousands of children across America never hear the voice of their father. The children of our generation and past generations are yearning to hear their father speak. This play not only brings awareness, but depicts a powerful story of a common family dynamic we are all too familiar with, a fatherless home! “I Never Heard my Father Speak,” is not just a powerful story about putting families back together but it’s about healing and restoration for those who have never heard the voice of a father. We have to bring awareness to this epidemic. Yes, epidemic!
One of the most profound social problems is the widespread father absence in the lives of children. Fathers play a unique and irreplaceable role in the lives of their children. Father absence is a serious problem because 
of the profound life challenges many children experience, who grow up without a father in their lives. Studies have shown the consequences of absentee fathers on children are: living in poverty, greater risk of drug use, early teen pregnancy, educational problems, health problems, emotional and mental health problems, and being victims of child abuse. Our prisons are full of individuals who grew up without a father.
As Tamera proceeds to make this powerful play into a movie that will help America see and experience first hand the the damaging results of fatherless homes, and the affects it can have on our children. “I Never Heard my Father Speak,” will tell the story from a father, child and mother’s viewpoint. We will see the story through their eyes. This is not just a story, but a movement to put father’s back into the lives of their children. Help us make that a reality and donate today at GOFUNDME
by April | Community, Volunteerism
The Blue Heart Foundation and The Pat on the Back foundation and made a Super pair as they combined to bring 21 children and chaperones Comic-Con International, July 24-27, at the San Diego Convention Center to where children can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day. Orchestrated by the always focused and detailed Dion Sayles, Patrick Turner (POTB) and Tracy Morris (TBHF) spent the day along with other volunteers guiding through the excitement and fun that is Comic-Con.
Comic-Con has become a signature summertime event for San Diego; it is the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture.
Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming feature films, portfolio review sessions with top comic book and video game companies, and such evening events as awards ceremonies and the Masquerade; a costume contest, and the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, which showcases shorts and feature length movies that do not have distribution or distribution deals.
In all it was an experience that will not be forgotten by children that otherwise would not have had the opportunity to witness such a unique event. Both organizations strive to provide children with experiences that are both educational and fun. Many of the children that are served are members of the foster care system or from undeserved at-risk areas. Patrick and Tracy are passionate in assisting children by exposing them to a wide variety of “field trips” in order that they may break out of their 
comfort zone.
