http://www.sashabruce.org/news en jbeck@sashabruce.org Copyright 2010 2010-02-17T20:50:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/sby-awarded-drug-prevention-contract/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/sby-awarded-drug-prevention-contract/#When:19:49:00Z Alcohol and other drug abuse represents a formidable public health problem throughout the city, and particularly among youth and families in east-side neighborhoods where we focus most of our work. So we are excited by our success in an application competition conducted by DC’s Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration. Comprehensive, nonjudgmental knowledge about substances and their effects is the best way to prevent their abuse. SBY’s Zocalo Outreach Program will use its time-tested home-based counseling approach to educate young people at highest risk for drug use and to promote drug refusal skills, improved family communication and school success. For more information, contact Jacqueline Hamilton at 675-9350. 2008-03-02T19:49:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/mark-your-calendar-black-history-extravaganza-february-28/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/mark-your-calendar-black-history-extravaganza-february-28/#When:19:06:00Z Join us as we celebrate African and African American history at our annual Black History Extravaganza on Thursday, February 28. To be held this year at the King Greenleaf Recreation Center at 201 N Street in Southwest, this year’s theme is “Survivors, Growing and Striving.” Young people and families in SBY programs will joing staff, volunteers and neighbors of King Greenleaf in an number of educational and inspiring activities. The menu will include Southern, Cajun, Creole and Low Country cuisine. Music will be delivered by Sweet Honey and The Rock, and we expect entertainment from a local African dance troupe. We’ve invited representatives of the modern-day Buffalo Soldiers. Other activities include a black history inspired Scavenger Hunt and an Arts Contest awards ceremony. The celebration will begin at 6 pm. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Kim Daniels at 581-3175. Donate now 2008-02-12T19:06:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/youth-tell-their-stories-on-npr-and-xm-radio1/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/youth-tell-their-stories-on-npr-and-xm-radio1/#When:19:44:00Z Bob Edwards’ popular radio show recently featured a series of broadcasts focusing on homelessness in DC and across the country. Several of our clients were interviewed, and they offered insights about how public policy changes might improve local conditions for disconnected youth and families. Segment 4 includes some of their stories of survival on the streets and connection to Sasha Bruce Youthwork. Check out the show here. Donate now 2008-01-21T19:44:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/latest-kids-count-shows-increasing-poverty-rate-in-dc/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/latest-kids-count-shows-increasing-poverty-rate-in-dc/#When:20:13:00Z One in three children in the District continues to live in poverty, and there has been a slight increase in the city’s overall poverty rate, according to the D.C. Kids Count Collaborative. Read more about this in a Washington Post article of January 18. A bleak picture of the state of children and families in the city is given in a Jan. 18 Washington Post story titled “One-Third of Children in Poverty, Report Says” by Yolanda Woodlee: One in three children in the District continues to live in poverty, and there has been a slight increase in the city’s overall poverty rate, according to the D.C. Kids Count Collaborative, whose leaders warned of tragic consequences unless parents get help in coping with stress. The group’s 14th annual fact book, released yesterday, shows a mixed picture — entrenched poverty alongside some positive shifts — as it details the conditions in which many D.C. children live. More than one-third of African American children still live below the federal poverty level, the report says, and more than half of the children live in homes with single mothers. Infant mortality increased in 2005, the highest level since 2000. From 2005 to 2006, child-abuse cases increased 6 percent but neglect complaints decreased. The number of young adults ages 19 to 21 in foster care rose to 12 percent in 2006 from 8 percent in 2003, the report notes. It also indicates that the number of juveniles referred to D.C. Superior Court increased in 2006 after having held steady in 2005. Click here to read more. Donate now 2008-01-18T20:13:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/annual-fundraiser-a-smashing-success/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/annual-fundraiser-a-smashing-success/#When:21:40:00Z SBY’s Board of Directors and staff would like to express our gratitude to Sir Nigel and Lady Sheinwald for hosting a fabulous dinner at the British Embassy last month to raise awareness of the plight of homeless youth and funds for our work in DC’s poorest communities. And many thanks to Jay Russell, Charlie Lyons, Barrie Osborne, Revolution Studios, Walden Media and Beacon Pictures for the exclusive Washington premiere of The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. These events raised nearly $200,000 for our work, and they afforded several of our youth exciting development opportunities. One opportunity involved meeting the cast, the director and the producer of Waterhorse at the Bruce House the day of the premiere, and the interaction between our young people and those responsible for the film was powerful and often moving. That same day, a group of outstanding youth received hands-on instruction in the use of high-technology movie-making cameras. Through the generous gift of political cause firm Greer, Margolis, Mitchell & Burns, participants will soon be traveling to the firm’s production studios and learning to edit their work. Thanks to all – and there were many – who lent a helping hand towards these events. Please do not hesitate to contact James Beck at 202-675-9340 to be involved in future fundraisers or to support our mission generally. Donate now 2008-01-10T21:40:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/congress-ends-dc-funding-ban-on-needle-exchange/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/congress-ends-dc-funding-ban-on-needle-exchange/#When:23:55:00Z High HIV infection rates in DC have been a public health crisis for years, and it is no secret that youth and families in DC’s poorest communities continue to suffer disproportionately. Until now, our city government had been prohibited from funding a proven intervention – needle exchange. A December 21 Washington Post Editorial titled “Done Deal” announces congressional legislation to allow DC to finally use its own money for syringe exchange programs. FOR NEARLY 10 years, Congress prevented the District of Columbia from using its own money to fund needle-exchange programs, interventions that greatly reduce the risk for intravenous drug users of contracting or spreading HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The obstruction ended with passage this week of the omnibus budget bill. Continue to read the Post’s Editorial here Donate now 2007-12-24T23:55:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/sasha-bruce-youthbuild-featured-in-npr-story/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/sasha-bruce-youthbuild-featured-in-npr-story/#When:20:50:00Z Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s YouthBuild program is featured in an NPR story on the use of federal recovery act funds. While there is intense debate about the best strategies for promoting economic recovery, there is no question about the effectiveness of proven education and job training programs to improve the lives of disconnected youth and the health of our under-served communities. Click here for the story; YouthBuild is featured under the education tab. Learn more about SBY’s YouthBuild Program or contact the Director, Cara Fuller, by clicking here 2010-02-17T20:50:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/elew-rocks-sasha-bruce/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/elew-rocks-sasha-bruce/#When:15:09:00Z Eric Lewis, aka ELEW, is a rock-jazz pioneer and musical iconoclast. He is the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and he played for the First Family at the White House in May 2009. Lewis performed to a rapt audience of Sasha Bruce supporters on February 4 at Georgetown’s historic Halycon House. He followed-up that concert with a private session with young people at our shelter. Hit the play button below to watch and listen to this home-made movie documenting an immeasurably valuable experience. 2010-02-10T15:09:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/rock-jazz-sensation-eric-lewis-to-perform-for-sby1/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/rock-jazz-sensation-eric-lewis-to-perform-for-sby1/#When:14:30:00Z SBY’s board of directors welcomed renown RockJazz pianist Eric Lewis to a special concert on February 4 to benefit our work with homeless youth. View photos and some video from this event at Georgetown’s Halcyon House by clicking here. Mr. Lewis is a rock-jazz pioneer and musical iconoclast. He is the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and he played for the First Family at the White House in May 2009. Watch some other recent footage of Mr. Lewis by clicking here. Donate to Sasha Bruce Youthwork by clicking here. 2010-02-04T14:30:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/dc-juvenile-justice-chief-resigns/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/dc-juvenile-justice-chief-resigns/#When:14:45:00Z Four years ago, then-Mayor Anthony Williams elevated the juvenile justice director position to a cabinet level, a reflection of the importance of addressing the myriad problems associated with youth crime, rehabilitation and recidivism. He found a reformer in Vincent Schiraldi. Mr. Schiraldi’s tenure as head of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services has seen fundamental changes to the philosophy and practice of the department. Mr. Schiraldi has heralded a new focus on a positive youth development approach and a commitment to resocialization of committed and detained youth – as opposed to the District’s historical focus on incarceration. Now the search will be on for a replacement as Mr. Schiraldi has accepted a job in New York. Read today’s Washington Post op-ed piece on this transition here 2009-12-04T14:45:00+00:00