Our Gang Community Works Inc. a Crown Heights Brooklyn, 501c3 community based organization. MISSION is dedicated to the physical, social, psychological and educational empowerment of African American young men ages VISION is to assist in the nurturing of adolescent young men to well rounded young adults through life skills and total emersion training allowing for them to experience a personal growth that will not only benefit them but their families and the greater community as well.

African American young men are graduating as four year high school seniors at a national rate of 48%. In New York City it is 26%. Only 22% that matriculate in college actually graduate and most of them are from the Caribbean or Africa. The USA now has more young black men ages incarcerated (1.1 million) than the remainder of the planet combined. One in every three Black men are imprisoned by adulthood. So much so that now Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, England and South Africa have all adopted U.S. policies designed to emasculate young men of African decent such as ….

INTERVIEW – a session with our Program Coordinator and Executive Director – determine & indentify the new participant’s likes, dislikes and academic history. TOOLS - This orientation effort will be aided by such tools as a leisure scope form and transcript from the youngster current school. ASSESS - a well-rounded concept of what areas where the young man needs the most personal development. PERSONAL COACH - presented with a Personal Coaching Journal and formally introduced to the other staff members, a tour of the facility and his fellow program participants.

Two primary programs designed to address issues that are taking so many of our young men from a life that could be very rewarding… A GENERATION NOT DEFERRED is our community emersion mentoring program allowing a young man to work on his physical, social, psychological & educational development through personal coaching from our Mentors & Certified Teacher. D.E.B.A.T.E.S. is our Anti Gang Program offering a full slate of activities allowing participants to better understand who they really are. From Guest Speakers who are former Gang Members turned around to job skills training and trips out of the community & city. When you know, why you do what you do? You find your center.

DION MICHAEL ASHMAN Executive Director Jason Gamble Program Coordinator Keith Howard Grant Coordinator

171 Crown Street Brooklyn, NY Tel: Few Burdens are Heavy When Everybody Lifts