My Flint- My Brothers Keeper -- Action Strategies

December 19, 2016

There is much work to be done to increase opportunities available to boys
and young men of color...Below are new actions many of which were
identified in the Master Plan that can be taken by the City and other
community partners, including foundations, social service agencies, and
businesses. These action items will help Flints youth develop 21st century
skills, be safe from violent crime, and utilize service to accomplish the goals
of MBK. -Flint MBK Report and Action Plan (May 2015)
*

The action items list include the What Works-Best Ideas collected during November 16, 2016 #2

planning meeting.

Skill Building
1. Schools should expand community education initiatives
that provide safe and supportive environment for youth and
adults. These efforts should include family literacy, adult learning
programming with workforce development, GED courses, ESL
courses, and vocational training.
2. Area colleges and universities should build on their existing
work that connects youth to higher education opportunities
through pre-college prep and scholarships. These colleges and
universities should also ensure that students, particularly young
men of color, succeed once enrolled.
3. Area colleges, universities and workforce organization
should create success mentor programs.
4. Area employers and nonprofit organizations should expand
summer youth employment opportunities, internships, and
apprenticeshipsparticularly in the fields of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
5. Nonprofits should support the utilization of the Imagination
Library.*
6. Schools should incorporate home calling program.*
7. Schools should provide late start programs.*
Safety Building
1. Police Departments, residents, and community
organizations such as churches should work in partnership to
engage youth as volunteers in citizen-led public safety efforts
like crime watches and radio patrols.

2. Police Departments, and other partners will convene a

youth summit to discuss issues related to safety and law
enforcement, and to strengthen the relationship between the law
enforcement community and young men.
3. Expand the role of neighborhood service centers (formerly
police mini-stations), including the staffing of assigned
community policing personnel to each location and the
incorporation of service centers into other programs such as
mediation and conflict resolution services.
4. Coalitions and schools to create safe walk to school routes,
and ensure they are serviced by a complete sidewalk network
and defined pedestrian crossings.
Service/Community Connections
1. Link youth with opportunities for national service programs
such as AmeriCorps, particularly those for service in the Flint
community. These positions provide a small stipend and funds for
education expenses, but more importantly they provide exciting
developmental opportunities and inspire a lifetime of service.
2. Encourage more adults to serve as mentors for at-risk
children, in coordination with local nonprofit organizations.

NOTES