Can’t decide who has your vote? Check out these nominations for our Western finalists!
On A Mission
On A Mission, Inc is a program in South Central, L.A. teaching life skills to youth in the community and helping them to become better individuals in society. The program exposes kids to the consequences of making the wrong choices in life through guest speakers and trips to speak with inmates at the prison. On A Mission also educates kids on life skills such as the importance of setting goals in life, being responsible/respectful, dressing for success and the list goes on. On A Mission also takes kids on annual field trips to places such as Washington DC and Sacramento; without this program, kids in South Central L.A. may not ever even have the opportunity to set foot outside the L.A. area. That being said, On A Mission, Inc definitely deserves a BCG award.
SEM Link
Having had the opportunity to see SEM Link in action, I know that they should win a BCG Award. So many of our children always think to sports and entertainment if their way our of their current situation when the reality is these rags to riches stories are not present everyday. To see an organization shift focus in our youth to match and sciences is life changing. If we can have more of our black children aiming to be doctors and scientists instead of basketball players and rappers we would live in a different world. One child at a time SEM is working to get young black kids involved in the sciences and engineering. They are amazing.
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Human Rights! That’s what we all have and yet we are often so taken for granted, even our simplest rights. What is so amazing about the Ella Baker Center is they are helping others, help others and fight for human rights here in the state of California! Their programs include books not bars, heal the streets and so much more, this is the best nonprofit in the west!
South Central Youth Empowered Thru Action
As a member of SCYETA, I can tell you we are a group of black and Latino kids trying to lead a positive life. Where we come from that can be hard to do, but with the support of this program and each other we are staying off the streets and doing positive things in our community which has a notorious bad reputation for violence and crime. We need support of awards like this to keep us striving and doing the right thing.
Magic Johnson Foundation
Magic Johnson is in his 20th year at fighting HIV and AIDS not just in LA but across the world. I was so inspired by his story that i had to nominate his foundation. Because I know people think just because he has money he needs to give back and that it doesn’t take his time to do it but that’s wrong. I have seen Magic’s foundation do a lot in the community including HIV/AIDS testing which is where I learned I was infected with the virus. Since then I have been active in my community informing others about not sharing needles and safe sex. I have led a rough life, I been on drugs, but Magic give me hope, I can make it!
I voted for SEM link for the U.S. and the world need students who can perform math and science in order to innovate, problem solve and collaborate
Honestly, MJ Foundation, Ella Baker and others do really great work, but they have non-profit budgets that are high and have dedicated funding resources. SEM Link is a startup and represents the little guy/gal that will be the next big change that promotes advanced learning in higher demanding fields that under-served kids so desperately need.
I’m voting for SEM Link because they need the support and the future of education is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics capacity building for under-represented young girls and minorities.
I voted for On A Mission, Inc. who provide much needed after school activities for kids living in South Central, L.A. and surrounding areas. It’s during those critical after school hours when youth violence generally increases. In a time where funding is constantly being cut, but the need for programs and services continue to increase, it’s important to have positive outlets for our youth.
In addition, On A Mission, Inc’s Boys To Men program teaches young men important life skills, financial literacy, fatherhood, resume building, Consequences of drugs, gang intervention, dress 4 success, mock job interviews, and much more.
I’ve voted for On A Mission Inc,because I feel that this program understands the importance of teaching our youth early on in life that their actions would have a great inpact on their communities as well as their futures.
On a Mission allows our children to see the domino effect of their actions which would allow them to stop an on going cycle of disconnect of the our communites and importance of famlily.. What a great program.
I voted for SEM Link because I’ve been very impressed with thier work in Georgia and California-it is innovative and effective. It’s really great to see a small organization do so much with such a small budget. With more resources they can make an even greater impact on African American youth.