“Our community is organized and energized to achieve the goals of My Brother’s Keeper. Like the rest of America, South Bend cannot achieve its full potential as long as major disparities persist between young men of color and the rest of the community. This challenge will help to galvanize our community to address these inequalities so that all our residents can thrive.”
Mayor Pete Buttigieg, November 12, 2015
About the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge
In February 2014, President Obama launched the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. My Brother’s Keeper seeks to bring together leaders, organizations, and people in communities around the country to work to improve the life outcomes of young people in America.
Since President Barack’s announcement, mayors, tribal leaders, and county executives around the country have convened key partners in their cities, to determine their communities’ biggest priorities, to set goals, and to build comprehensive, sustainable plans to give all our youth the chances to succeed that they deserve.
Goals for South Bend’s My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge
GETTING A HEALTHY START & ENTERING SCHOOL READY TO LEARN
The foundation for success in school and throughout adult life starts in the early years of a child’s life. Before children experience their first day of school, important developmental milestones occur
SUCCESSFULLY ENTERING THE WORKFORCE
Boys and young men of color face persistent gaps in finding employment opportunities. Factors affecting employment are numerous and networked, as cycles of poverty, early school dropouts, and unlearned professionalism compound.
KEEPING KIDS ON TRACK & GIVING THEM SECOND CHANCES
The MBK Community Challenge seeks to protect boys and young men of color from becoming victims of violence and abuse and ensure that they do not come into contact with law enforcement or intersect with the juvenile justice system.
Beacon Health System and My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge
The mission of Beacon Health System exists to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its communities. The My Brother’s Keeper initiative is an extension of that mission. It is vital to nurture disadvantaged members of the community outside of traditional health networks by expanding opportunities. The release of the My Brother’s Keeper report is intended to draw attention to opportunity gaps in South Bend for boys and young men of color. Beacon Health System believes that a fully healthy South Bend must address the needs of all members in the community.
Beacon Health System’s role, in the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge, will be to serve as the anchor organization. As the anchor organization, Beacon will network and work with MBK community partners to complete the mission of closing opportunity gaps for boys and young men of color.
- MBK Report (Full): English.pdf / Spanish.pdf
- MBK Report (Condensed): English.pdf / Spanish.pdf
- FAQ Sheets: English.pdf / Spanish.pdf