“Like so many other communities across our nation, our neighborhoods are faced with a myriad of economic and educational disparities. The youth we serve are oftentimes negatively affected. It is the responsibility and obligation of all stakeholders involved to cultivate,nurture and Build Up the Lives of the Youth.”
—ERNEST BROWN, FOUNDER OF BUILDING UP THE YOUTH
We are
BUILDING UP THE YOUTH
Building Up the Youth blends serving the immediate needs of young people with long-term needs of the community. As a youth mentoring organization that focuses on improving the image and attitude of our next generation youth leaders and student-athletes. Our organizations’ members work directly with: coaches, parents, teachers, students, political figures, community philanthropists.
Through our programs and events, Building Up the Youth strives to:
Create new young leaders, through enhancing their personal development;
Provide responsible, trustworthy adult support to young people;
Work directly with coaches, parents, teachers, students, political figures and community philanthropists to create effective and informed support systems for our next generation;
Cultivate and strengthen self-esteem, self-motivation, and self-confidence in the children of the region;
Provide a supportive and positive influence while working on improving academic, athletic and social skills.
We incorporate physical fitness, entertainment and enhanced community events as tools to engage the youth, while exposing them to skills that can improve their lives. We aim to improve and then further develop vital life skills that enable our mentees to become leaders among their peers.
Community Based
Designated 501(c)3
Predominantly funded by private donations
Sponsorship from local and regional businesses
Volunteer-based organization
600+ members (8 – 18 years old)
Mentorship & wellness programs
Blueprint for development of additional chapters nationwide
Meet Ernest Brown
Founder of Building Up The Youth
I grew up in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, which is a very rough neighborhood. I didn't have much at all, and because of that, I became drawn to selling drugs and the negative life that came with it. If I had access to a program like Building Up the Youth, with adult mentors who genuinely cared about me and provided inspiration and leadership, my path would have certainly been different. Being on the streets and living a self-destructive lifestyle led to me doing significant jail time. I did not stop until the age of 37, when I moved to Sicklerville, NJ. But that move changed my life!
Looking back, it was a fluke how Building Up The Youth got started. A kid asked me to teach him how to play basketball. So, I did. I met with him every Saturday. Gradually it led to more and more kids showing up on the court asking to join in. Before I knew it, we were having regular training sessions with large groups of local kids. Basketball led to conversations and kids helping each other with homework and me sharing advice and experiences and lending an ear. I knew I had to get organized and make this official, so that these young people could have something special and positive to look forward to on a regular basis.
A mentor of mine once told me I was a natural leader, but how did I want to lead? Building Up the Youth has become an opportunity for me to share what I know with local kids and provide them with support and guidance – things many of them would not otherwise have.
I began buying snacks and juices every week for the kids to have when we met to train and have our conversations. Word got around, and that's how Building up the Youth started. In the beginning, I did everything on my own. I was working two jobs, driving a trash truck, and delivering food for Grubhub, which I still do.
I love my community and believe in the promise of our youth. I'll work four jobs if I have to– whatever it takes in order to get these kids what they need to succeed. That is what this is all about– giving support and guidance to help more and more young people so that they flourish and grow into community contributors themselves.
I'm blessed to be able to help the youth and my community. I hope you will join me in supporting these wonderful young people so they can lead enriched, happy and productive lives.
