Orlando Schools Embrace My Brother’s Keeper Initiative

News Summary

The My Brother’s Keeper initiative expands in Orlando high schools, offering support to at-risk students. With a focus on guidance and life skills, the program aims to foster resilience and success among local teenagers. Advocates work closely with students facing challenges, providing mentorship and a range of services designed to help them thrive academically and personally.

Orlando’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative Lights Up High School Students’ Lives

In the sunny city of Orlando, an inspiring program known as My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) has recently expanded its reach, bringing hope and positive change to local high schools. After a successful run in five middle schools, the initiative now supports students at Jones and Edgewater high schools. This exciting growth comes nearly a year after the program’s expansion, and its impact is starting to shine through—particularly for those who need a little extra guidance.

A Focus on At-Risk Students

Currently, MBK is working closely with about 50 students who may be facing challenges like suspension, expulsion, or low attendance. These young men are part of a targeted effort to steer them away from negative paths that can lead to juvenile justice involvement. The program’s approach is not just about keeping students in school; it’s also about fostering their long-term success by encouraging them to create future plans that help break damaging cycles.

Building Trust and Confidence

One key player in this initiative is Austin Long, the lead advocate at Jones High School. He’s dedicated to making a difference in the lives of 25 young male students, one of whom is Aaron Ford, a high school sophomore who has faced personal hardships including the traumatic loss of his father to gun violence. Long and his team frequently check in with these students, providing support that helps them stay focused on their education and extracurricular activities like basketball that keep them out of trouble.

A Holistic Approach

The MBK program doesn’t just offer academic support; it provides a range of services designed to empower students. Participants benefit from offerings in financial literacy, mental health services, and entrepreneurial education, along with weekly mentoring sessions from caring advocates. This holistic approach helps students develop the skills they need to navigate both their personal challenges and the complexities of life outside school.

The Community Takes Action

At the heart of the MBK program is a strong commitment to being a consistent and dependable presence in the students’ lives. Many of them come from backgrounds where adults have not always proven trustworthy, making this initiative all the more critical. The aim is to cultivate strong relationships over time, allowing young men to open up and learn how to believe in themselves.

A Legacy of Support

This initiative is positioned as part of a larger vision that began with former President Barack Obama in 2014. The goal then, as it is now, was to address the various disparities faced by boys and young men of color. Not only does the program offer support at school, but it also strives to ensure that these students are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in all areas of life.

Funding for Future Success

An important boost to the MBK initiative came in the form of a $750,000 grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families. This funding was instrumental in helping expand the reach of the program in Orlando, showing that the community cares deeply about its youth. With this support, MBK aims to decrease behavioral issues that lead to disciplinary actions in schools, thereby paving a healthier path toward future success.

The Bright Future Ahead

As the My Brother’s Keeper initiative continues to grow, its positive impact on students’ lives becomes clearer. With dedicated advocates such as Austin Long guiding them, young men like Aaron Ford can find hope, resilience, and perhaps even a pathway to a brighter future. Orlando’s MBK is proving to be a beacon of change, wrapping its arms around at-risk students and offering the tools they need to succeed.

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Additional Resources

• My News 13: My Brother’s Keeper Expansion
• Click Orlando: Largest Fentanyl Bust
• Fox 35 Orlando: Osceola County Fentanyl Bust
• Click Orlando: My Brother’s Keeper Initiative
• Fox 35 Orlando: Video Report
• Wikipedia: My Brother’s Keeper