Black Positive People : BLOOM

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https://calfund.org/bloom


BLOOM: BUILDING A LIFETIME OF OPTIONS and OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN

Investing in L.A.'s Black Male Youth

 

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Nation's First Philanthropic Initiative Targeting Black Male Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Begins in Los Angeles County


In November 2011, the California Community Foundation implemented a new $5 million, five-year initiative, BLOOM, aimed at helping Black male youth, ages 14-18, who are or have been involved with the L.A. County probation system, to find new paths to education and employment and away from the juvenile justice/delinquency system. BLOOM, which stands for "Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities for Men," is the only major philanthropic initiative in the nation that is focused specifically on Black male youth in the justice/delinquency system. BLOOM's ultimate goal is to contribute to a 10 percent reduction in Black male youth supervised by the county probation system - approximately 480 youth.

Why This Initiative
The Community Foundation developed the BLOOM initiative in based on several underlying factors: (1) the persistent poor outcomes for Black male youth related to economic opportunities, housing, education and emotional support; (2) the strains caused to economic and social systems as a result of these poor outcomes; (3) a growing awareness both locally and nationally among philanthropy, human and social service professionals and policy experts about the need to address the ongoing crisis facing Black men and boys; and (4) an understanding that there are sufficient counter examples to suggest that the life chances of this population can be positively altered through effective policies and direct service interventions. Additionally, significant state budget cuts and realignment of state funds to counties will likely have a profound impact on this population, specifically related to juvenile justice funding.

State budget research conducted by Putnam Community Investment Consulting, Inc. showed that these cuts would be especially difficult for Los Angeles County, where Black males make up a disproportionate percentage of youth in prison or on probation. Black youth account for only 10 percent of the county's youth population, but are approximately 33 percent of all youth under county probation supervision.

Estimations are that 25 percent of Black males in Los Angeles County will have some involvement with the criminal justice system, and only 10 percent will graduate from college.

COMPLETE HERE: http://putnamcic.com/IdeaMail/July 2012.html

 

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http://iambloom.com/

 

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ok im bloom