Entrenched racism and the dehumanization of people of color has dominated public discourse. Policy, funding, and institutional reform is urgently needed for our society to effectively begin the process of disrupting dehumanization. That is why Forward Promise dedicates its grantmaking to organizations serving young people of color and the communities that nurture them.
The organizations we fund are integral parts of their communities with lengthy track records of support, leadership, advocacy, and partnership that affirm the humanity and healing of young people of color. They lead with authentic, asset-framed narratives steeped in the lived experiences of the young people they serve. These organizations also mobilize youth and others to be change agents and advocates.
Each of the 24 organizations receiving funding in our current cycle (2021-2023) were awarded two years of general operating support. There is still time for funders to designate philanthropic dollars to grow our impact.
Amistades is a Latino-led, Latino-serving, 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization with six focus areas: services for high-risk youth and families preventing substance use disorder; family support services for low-income populations; training for health and human services providers; civic participation; policy impact; and cultural enrichment initiatives. It was founded in 2006 and has established itself as a leader in the prevention community by developing and implementing programs and activities grounded in grassroots outreach and evidence-based best practices.
Launched in 2011, Cities United focuses on eliminating the violence in American cities related to African American men and boys. The 130 participating mayors (and counting) intend to reduce homicides by 50% by 2025. They are committed to restoring hope and building pathways to justice, employment, education, and opportunities. Cities United helps mayors assess their communities and increase chances for awareness, action, advocacy, and accountability. The solutions-oriented organization shares best practices, institutes innovative approaches, and plans ways to best reconfigure resources.
Founded in 2011, CURYJ builds communities and mobilizes leaders in the movement to end youth criminalization and mass incarceration. It interrupts the cycles of violence and poverty by motivating and empowering young people impacted by the criminal justice system to become today’s community leaders. CURYJ uses activities such as culturally rooted healing circles and rites of passage from the La Cultura Cura framework to serve Latino and African American boys and young men in school, juvenile detention, and community settings.
The Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice at the Drexel University School of Public Health has promoted health, nonviolence, and social justice through trauma-informed practice, research, professional development, and advocacy for policy change since 2008. The Healing Hurt People project and the Community Health Worker Peer Training Academy addresses trauma among African American boys and young men in hospital and community settings in North and West Philadelphia. The Healing Hurt People program focuses on healing the physical and psychological wounds of trauma caused by violence.
Since 1985, Kumukahi Health + Wellness has served the community in various capacities. The organization was known as the Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation beginning in 2003 and embarked on a name change in 2021 to reflect its growth and changes. Kumukahi Health + Wellness has evolved from a few staff and volunteers providing simple support, to an agency that saves lives, educates its community, and provides life-saving services for some of the island’s most vulnerable people.
LatinxEd was founded in 2018 to break down barriers to success for first-generation college students and address the volatile environment for the growing Latinx community in North Carolina. LatinxEd designed an approach that centers and affirms the lived experiences, cultures, and identities of Latinx students. Its programs expand access to college opportunities while increasing visibility, support, and resources for Latinx and immigrant students, families, and the next generation of leaders.
The Magic of African Rhythm showcases the beauty of the African heritage and connects students with their roots. The “rhythmic thread,” known as Ngoma, has been carried out by the Shabu family for more than 50 years and continues the tradition of guiding young people along the drummer’s path. The organization combines dancing, singing, drumming, and visual arts to create the magic that is explored throughout the program.
InterTribal Youth is an offshoot of its predecessor, Young Native Scholars, which focused on bringing Native American, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian young people together to develop and implement academic, cultural, and wellness programs. In 2005, InterTribal Youth built on this work and began convening youth from various nations in residential-academic enrichment programs. InterTribal Youth created Native Like Water in 2014 to center Native People’s sacred relationship with water.
Since VOW’s formation in 2014, it has worked to close the academic opportunity gap by protecting the intellectual curiosity and positive, racial self-concept of Black children through the love and wisdom of their families and communities. VOW supports advocacy and organizing, creates tools and resources, and designs and conducts research that helps parents, teachers, and students to create ideal learning environments for Black and Brown learners.
Established in 2009 by young Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) leaders, EPIC is a national organization in Los Angeles that addresses the urgent, growing needs of NHPI families. Through partnerships inside and outside of the NHPI community, EPIC builds a unified advocacy voice for NHPIs; promotes data illuminating the needs of NHPI families; creates tools and resources to support organizational and community capacity; and develops a pipeline of strong, influential leaders.
RYSE was born out of the youth organizing movement galvanized by students in 2000 to address the violence and lack of safety at school and in their community after a string of homicides near Richmond High School. Today, 36 staff lead programming in community health, media, art, culture, education, justice, and youth leadership. RYSE provides safe spaces grounded in social justice for young people of color to build youth power, love, learn, educate, heal, and transform lives and communities.
CYC has been a member-led organization of current and former foster youth who build community, organize, and advocate for improvements to the child welfare and other systems since 1988. The founders knew if young people were going to heal and thrive, their voices needed to be centered in conversations about their lives. After three decades of persistent youth-led advocacy and education, local government agencies and nonprofits routinely include the voices of foster youth in planning, decision-making, and oversight.
Founded in 2000 as the Albany Park Neighborhood Council, Communities United is a grassroots, intergenerational racial justice organization in Chicago. The name was changed in 2015 to accurately reflect the numerous neighborhoods and communities with which it partners and serves. Communities United develops grassroots leadership to build collective power to advance health equity, affordable housing, education justice, youth investment, immigrant rights, police accountability, and shifting resources from the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems into restorative justice alternatives.
Since 1985, Kumukahi Health + Wellness has served the community in various capacities. The organization was known as the Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation beginning in 2003 and embarked on a name change in 2021 to reflect its growth and changes. Kumukahi Health + Wellness has evolved from a few staff and volunteers providing simple support, to an agency that saves lives, educates its community, and provides life-saving services for some of the island’s most vulnerable people.
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