by April | Community, Mentoring, Team Building
August 18th, 2016 – Ending our summer with a Padres win was perfect!!! Attending our final Padres Game of the Summer against the Arizona Diamondbacks which was a huge success as we won 9-8. Once again partnering with the San Diego Padres Charity Ticket Program. Identified as a charity group to partner with the Padres we were sure to take full advantage and had 100% participation. We were featured multiple times during the game with live shots on FriarVision by sharing our pics on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #SDinHD.
Corwin Harris (HEART Parent) stated ” It’s great to see that the padres are giving back to community by providing tickets for programs like this! We had a great time watching the Padres with the group. Olijah exclaimed “It was a great experience, I never thought that would happen that I’d see us on the big screen… but when we did .. WOW!”
We partnered with the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball’s “Commissioner’s Community Initiative” and MLB Player’s Association “Players Give Back” to donate complimentary tickets to deserving non-profit organizations who serve children within the Padres focus of LIVE (children’s health), LEARN (education) PLAY (recreation), and SERVE (military and first responders).
Though the Padres lost to the San Francisco Giants, it did not diminish the excitement of the group, all had a fabulous time staying until the last out was recorded. We look forward to our next trip to Petco Park and have to thank Christina Papasedero and the community relations and Padres Foundation for the opportunity. Shani McGowan (Parent) framed the event perfectly when he said “All the kids had a great time last night, they just wish the Padres had gotten more hits… This was the first baseball game for many of them and I’d like to thank the Padres for the opportunity.”
by April | Community, Education
This Saturday we went on a day trip to Birch Aquarium and snorkeling afterwards. Outdoor Outreach provides comprehensive, year-round outdoor programming for youth in San Diego. By introducing participants to the outdoors through exciting and joy-filled activities, OO inspires underserved youth to see possibility and opportunity in their lives, and realize various positive attitude and behavioral changes that help them become successful adults.
Once we arrived to Birch Aquarium we immediately got to view the Hall of Fishes. Which has everything you might want to see – starfish, jelly fish, octopus, fish galore!, crabs, seahorses, turtles, etc., etc. The highlight is for sure the Kelp Forest, with 70,000 gallons in the tank and so many fish and sharks of all shapes and sizes, that you can sit on the stairs and be mesmerized!
Outside the back there was a petting tidal pool overlooking the ocean, the people at the touch pool were friendly and the guys saw the shallow pools containing fish, lobsters, sea urchins, sea anemone, sea cucumbers, sea stars and snails!
The sea urchins, sea stars, sea cucumbers and sea anemone were safe to touch! AJ said “It was really cool how the anemone and urchins grabbed onto my fingers!”
After a quick lunch at Mission Point park the guys put on gear and went snorkeling. In the shallow waters close to the Mission Bay shore, we saw a few Garibaldi, California’s bright orange state fish. Picked up a Black sea hare, also called sea slugs,which can grow up to two and a half feet long and will almost certainly adorn the sea floor wherever you’re snorkeling.
The snorkeling entire day was remarkable filled with fun and discovery. It’s just amazing to see the smiles on these young men’s faces as the are free to be themselves away from the constructs of the intercity. But more importantly they are not chained to technology, experiencing all the world has to offer.
by April | Community
We had the opportunity to volunteer and assist in the prevention of human trafficking by distributing tip cards during Comic Con. As we stepped out in our SuperHero Capes distributing information on how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.
Today, we became superheroes to assist SAFE San Diego in spreading the word of #theUglyTruth. The ugly truth is that San Diego has a thriving underground sex economy. not just one part of the county but the entire San Diego County region.
“In San Diego (and) Tijuana it’s a major problem and we don’t want people to get numb to the fact it’s a major problem,” said Dr. Jamie Gates with the Point Loma Nazarene University. “There are about three to eight thousand survivors in a year and a good percentage of that is happening in the hotels,” said Gates. Local experts say hotels are the top location for sex trafficking with 70% of transactions utilizing social media.
“Until our community sees the damage done to women, girls and boys being forced to work in prostitution, they will lack the will to take on this threat to our children and end demand,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Stephan, who heads the county’s Human Trafficking Advisory Council. “Media can play a critical role in creating this awareness, particularly in an era where TV, print, film and online representations of prostitution are often so glamorizing.”
Blue Heart Foundation Founder Tracy Morris believes it’s critical that young men understand how important it is that people understand the impact of sexual trafficking. ” The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 16 and at many times as young as 12 years old. These are our daughters, nieces and little sisters. If we don’t advocate on their behalf … Who will?”
by April | Community, Mentoring
Shortly after multiple shootings happened across the country townhall meetings were held at the George L. Stevens Senior Center in the Skyline/Encanto area. The focus of these meetings was to promote healing and bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement.
As youth advocates we have a unique opportunity to make significant change in the world. As a matter of fact, the involvement of young people has already made a difference all across the country and the world.
Kaori McGowan delivered a heartfelt speech where he questioned “How can I not be a victim of the system, when I’ve lost so many friends, family and brothers. It’s sad that every morning I have to tell my little brother “make sure you stay safe.”
H.E.A.R.T. (Higher Education And Rising Together) believes that Youth can…
Advocate for policy change:
Young people are effective at garnering support for policy development and capture the attention of political leaders and the media in ways that adults can’t.
Project a powerful voice:
Youth have credibility with their peers and other community leaders.
Young people naturally provide innovation and creativity, making this work more exciting and attractive to policy makers, partners, and other youth.
San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, several police officers, community leaders and residents attended the meeting. Zimmerman said her officer have worked hard to build relationships with the communities they patrol, and they will continue to improve communication.
One man in attendance said the meeting was a good start, but unless police departments do a better job of policing themselves, the shootings will probably continue and might take place in cities like San Diego. “Until we actually face and attack racial prejudice that’s embedded in police departments, we’re going to continue to have these problems,” said Armand King who lives in the Skyline area of San Diego.
The Blue Heart Foundation is focused on the empowerment and education of underserved youth. Our program is based on nine (9) core competencies which fall under three categories: 1) Abilities, 2) Applications, and 3) Character. Advocacy falls under character development where members model high standards of personal conduct at all times and in all places.
7. Advocacy – Members are advocates for just causes in their schools and communities. 8. Equity – Members are committed to social, political, and educational equity for all people. 9. Ethics – Members model high standards of personal conduct at all times and in all places. These are critical traits in a young man’s growth as well as ensuring that fundamentally they make good choices when exposed to difficult decisions.
by April | Community, Mentoring
The Blue Heart Foundation’s mentoring program had the opportunity to volunteer and attend the San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops. One of San Diego’s most exciting musical summer traditions the San Diego Symphony launched Star Spangled Pops—a patriotic extravaganza with special guests singing along with the San Diego Master Chorale led by Academy Award-winner Bill Conti conducting.
H.E.A.R.T. had the opportunity to contribute to this exciting event as they volunteered by welcoming all attendees and insuring all the littlest fans were provided with glowsticks, becoming a part of the celebration. Our young men also assisted Education Programs Assistant Allison Morrisey in the kid zone where young people made their own firework bling rings as well as wrote letters to our troops serving overseas. Allison would later say “Thanks for bringing your guys to volunteer with us on Friday. They did a great job and were incredibly poised young gentlemen. I was so grateful to have their help and am impressed at their maturity and willingness to help out!”
Afterwards we enjoyed the San Diego symphony featuring classics as well as fireworks! The Star Spangled Pops will celebrate Independence Day like no other. It was a great, colorful and festive party on San Diego Bay. Located on picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park South behind the Convention Center, the Star Spangled Pops featured God Bless the U.S.A., America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic and a salute to the Armed Forces.. It’ll was a special night night to remember. Alexzander stated “This was a great opportunity to come out and participate in helping our community and show support for our troops… I have never been to the symphony and this was amazing!”
by April | Career Development, Community, Personal Growth
On Saturday, June 13th we had the privilege to participate in the The Urban League San Diego County Young Professionals event “Brothas With Ties” The 2nd installment of “Brotha’s with Ties” hosted by the San Diego County Urban League Young Professionals is an engagement meant to teach, motivate and inspire the bright minds of young men in the City of San Diego. Ties will be donated to all participants and will learn how to properly tie a tie (and or bowtie). ULSDC Young Professionals want to extend leadership to provide development and a platform for a successful future. Brothas with Ties will include:
The “Brothas in Ties” program consisted of:
Interactive Workshops: Activity filled workshops on Social issues & other activities challenging students to think quick on their feet and learn from their peers.
Self Empowerment – By the end of the event, participants will have a better understanding of how to manage and succeed in the real world.
Mentorship – The event is packed with interactions with Young Professionals and Community Leaders alike who have experience in their respective fields. Participants will also have the opportunity learn about past their mentors past experiences or inquire about what to expect becoming a young professional.
Mathew Gordon stated “The work doesn’t stop here, lets keep it going because there’s more work to be done!”
ULSDC Young Professionals wanted to provide developmental platform for young men ensuring a successful future and also donated 0 matching ties to The Blue Heart Foundation’s Youth program.
Special guest speakers and adult supporters whom really showed they care about our young men kudos! It was amazing to see so many organizations get behind such a worthy cause. Participating organizations included but 
are not limited to:
Reality Changers
Urban League
Justice4SD33
National Society of Black Engineers
Freshly Faded Barbershop
Family Resource Center Inc.
Tiffany Harrison summed the entire event perfectly “This event was clearly not about the clothing, but building and developing the young man under the suit and tie. Look at all that Black Excellence! Shout out to Mathew Arthur Gordon,Patricia Gibson, Jordan Jerome Harrison, Rod Watson, Taryell Simmons,Darielle Blevins, Khea Pollard, Charles Anderson, Neavrae Gibson, Tracy Morris, and everyone else I may have missed that donated their time/snacks/and wisdom to make our 2nd Installment of Brothas w/Ties a success! who turned it all the way UP and ensured that our young men know their value and lineage. Again to everyone who donated ties, time, giveaways, and support…thank you. Thank you for being the change, and not just donating some change.”
August 18th, 2016 – Ending our summer with a Padres win was perfect!!! Attending our final Padres Game of the Summer against the Arizona Diamondbacks which was a huge success as we won 9-8. Once again partnering with the San Diego Padres Charity Ticket Program. Identified as a charity group to partner with the Padres we were sure to take full advantage and had 100% participation. We were featured multiple times during the game with live shots on FriarVision by sharing our pics on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #SDinHD.
Corwin Harris (HEART Parent) stated ” It’s great to see that the padres are giving back to community by providing tickets for programs like this! We had a great time watching the Padres with the group. Olijah exclaimed “It was a great experience, I never thought that would happen that I’d see us on the big screen… but when we did .. WOW!”
We partnered with the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball’s “Commissioner’s Community Initiative” and MLB Player’s Association “Players Give Back” to donate complimentary tickets to deserving non-profit organizations who serve children within the Padres focus of LIVE (children’s health), LEARN (education) PLAY (recreation), and SERVE (military and first responders).
