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.
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.
The Blue Heart Foundation in partnership with the Old Globe Theater provided a night out for the youth and families from the HEART mentoring program, Man UP! as well as local foster youth. HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) is a locally based mentoring program that is focused on the empowerment and education of under-served youth. Our program is based on nine (9) core competencies which fall under three categories: 1) Abilities, 2) Applications, and 3) Character. Man UP’s mission is to teach our male students lessons in self-improvement, empowerment, responsibility, and cultural awareness. The club meets with all members on a weekly basis, teaching students lessons that will make them marketable in today’s society.
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 “Twelfth Night”. Shipwrecked and alone in foreign Illyria, young Viola masquerades as a boy and becomes the go-between for the lovesick Duke Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Soon Viola finds herself in the middle of a topsy-turvy love triangle with lunacy on every side. Roosevelt Johnson stated “This was a great opportunity for the guys from ManUP to see a play in which they had recently read; we just acted this a week ago!”
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.
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. Ann (an Old Globe usher) said excitingly “It’s so amazing to see such young people engaged and following Shakespeare… We normally don’t get that here.”
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 guest TV’s American Idol and San Diego native Jessica Sanchez 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 Jessica Sanchez and 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, a salute to the Armed Forces and a special rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy which was performed by Jessica Sanchez. It’ll was a special night night to remember. Dallas Edge 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!”
June 30th, 2015 – Save the hot dogs for Wrigley Field. On Tuesdays at Petco Park in San Diego, its all about Tacos! The Blue Heart Foundation’s HEART program, family and friends enjoyed a game of interleague play against the Seattle Mariners. All were ready and fully prepared to enjoy an evening of baseball on Taco Tuesday!
Participation in our first Taco Tuesday with the Padres was a huge success as we partnered with the San Diego Padres Charity Ticket Program and attended our first game as a group. Identified as a charity group to partner with the Padres we were sure to take full advantage and had 100% particiaption. Some of our guys were featured twice during the game with live shots on FriarVision.
Jacques (HEART Member) stated ” I had a great time watching the Padres with the group; it was even cooler when we were on the big screen!!! and when asked his thoughts about being on Friarvision Jacques exclaimed “That was a great experience, I never though that would happen to me!” all while smiling ear to ear.
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 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. Robert Rush (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.”
It was a gray drizzly Saturday morning when HEART met with our partner organization Outdoor Outreach for a day trip on the open sea. Outdoor Outreach utilizes outdoor physical 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: the opportunity for ongoing experiences that are safe, fun, positive and challenging, and the relationships developed with supportive adult role models.
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 during the initial push towards the ocean. Isaiah Coleman would later say” It felt like we were Vikings, driving into the drizzling rain!” After the tour of Sweetwater Marsh wetlands preserve, we went on to the Living Coast Discovery Center.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a natural treasure on San Diego Bay. Their nonprofit zoo and aquarium is uniquely situated on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, offering visitors an ideal setting in which to explore the amazing animals and plants that call our coastal region home. We had the opportunity to prepare the food and feed raptors including Hawks and Eagles! Jacques Morgan stated “Kayaking was an amazing and unforgettable experience for the books after that we went to an aquarium/zoo and some got to feed sea life and raptor life which was an amazing time!!!”
With a diverse collection of animal ambassadors and hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Discovery Center inspires curiosity and exploration of the living earth in guests of all ages. 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
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.
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.”
Diego’s HBCU network and Cal SOAP included:
grateful to have their help and am impressed at their maturity and willingness to help out!”
