http://www.sashabruce.org/news en jbeck@sashabruce.org Copyright 2012 2012-04-23T21:20:00+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 Offering service-enriched permanent housing for families exiting emergency shelters is an organizational priority. So we are happy to report a new contract with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness to do just that. Starting this month, SBY will grant 13 young families (head of household ages 18-24) exiting city shelters seamless access to 2-bedroom apartments at 1700 V Street, SE. Families will receive a wide range of housing, case management, employment assistance, life skills education and other positive youth development services. Continuously updated, individualized service plans for each resident will be geared towards the overall goal of assisting families in transitioning to independent housing. A ribbon-cutting to include the Mayor and officials from the DC Department of Human Services and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness is scheduled for Wednesday, 12/21 at 1 pm at 1700 V Street, SE. For more information, contact Jim Beck at 202-675-9340 or jbeck@sashabruce.org. 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:23:55:03Z 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 2007-12-25T23:55:03+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/street-senses-survivors-tales/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/street-senses-survivors-tales/#When:21:20:00Z In the current edition of Street Sense, entitled ‘Survivors’ Tales’, Sasha Bruce Youthwork is featured in three articles as being on the forefront to end youth homelessness. In D.C. Youth at Risk of Homelessness, SBY’s Executive Director, Deborah Shore, remains optimistic, yet concerned about the challenges that face so many young people in D.C. In A Young Man with a LIfe-Plan, SBY client Steve Cherefant speaks candidly about his difficult upbringing and how, with a little help, he is pursuing his dreams to become an accomplished animated. Creating Homes for Homeless Youth, outlines how everyday Sasha Bruce Youthwork is working hard to create housing for homeless youth. For more information on how to get involved with projectDC, please contact Jim Beck at 202-675-9340. 2012-04-23T21:20:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/positive-spin-on-april-20/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/positive-spin-on-april-20/#When:13:56:02Z Many D.C. youth say they fall into risky behaviors like smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol because they don’t have enough positive activities to engage them during after school hours. Join SBY staff, volunteers and youth on this Friday, April 20th, at our Youth in Action “4/20” Summit where we will introduce youth to SBY programs and celebrate the day “4/20.” There are long-standing negative connotations about the day “4/20” as a day to smoke marijuana. These stereotypes are what we will work to debunk this Friday. SBY’s Prevention Center Program is sponsoring Friday’s event to add a positive spin to the day and showcase all that SBY has to offer in positive youth programming. There will be live performances, video presentations, spoken word, a dancing showcase, giveaways and a fashion show! When: Friday, April 20, at 4:20pm to 7:30pm Where: King Greenleaf Recreation Center, 201 N Street, SW 2012-04-17T13:56:02+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/global-youth-service-day/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/global-youth-service-day/#When:17:26:00Z On April 20 and 21, SBY will be engaging local youth to make a difference in their communities through two different civic engagement projects. The youth will join millions of other young people around the world who are creating community change as part of Global Youth Service Day, organized by Youth Service America and Serve DC. On April 20, SBY will facilitate gardening workshops at the Sasha Bruce House, 1022 Maryland Avenue NE in partnership with Beet Street Gardens and Brainfood. Youth leaders will teach workshops on gardening, cooking, nutrition, composting, and recycling. Each participant will take home materials to start their own community gardens. Youth will be planting the seeds to end childhood hunger, one garden at a time. On April 21, students from Ballou Senior High School will travel to the National Mall to rehabilitate park benches that line the Mall. In a partnership with the National Park Service, our Teen Outreach Program youth will be able to leave a lasting impression in the Nation’s Capital and help kick off National Park Week. Students will be speaking about topics surrounding civic engagement, while providing live tweets of the event. TOP will celebrate their service completion at the MLK Memorial to reflect on what Dr. King’s dream means to them. The public is invited to participate in both events. EVENT DETAILS Gardening Workshops & Community Cookout Sasha Bruce House, 1022 Maryland Ave NE Friday, April 20, 2012 at 5:00pm Park Bench Rehabilitation National Mall, Smithsonian Metro Stop Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 9:15am to 2:00pm For more information, contact Renee Forrester at 202-675-9340 or rforrester@sashabruce.org 2012-04-12T17:26:00+00:00 http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/register-for-handson-greater-dc-cares-servathon/ http://www.sashabruce.org/news/permalink/register-for-handson-greater-dc-cares-servathon/#When:16:40:00Z HandsOn Greater DC Cares Servathon site is now up and live for service projects, including 4 Sasha Bruce Youthwork residential programs! On April 21st, volunteers from all over the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area will be assisting with service projects. Sasha Bruce Youthwork is excited to partner with HandsOn Greater DC Cares on this day of service. You can register to serve at one of the following sites: Sasha Bruce House, REACH, Permanent Housing Program, or Family Preservation Program. Click here to register for a Servathon project today! For more information about volunteering with Sasha Bruce Youthwork, please contact Renee Forrester via rforrester@sashabruce.org. 2012-04-04T16:40:00+00:00