When you contribute to this fundraiser, you are helping youth in detention (some as young as 10-years old) participate in programs that enhance their lives. Beyond Rhetoric currently provides chess and cloud-based coding to youth in detention. As we grow, we will offer detained youth art, music, job readiness, fitness and many creative programs. Each shirt purchased is the equivalent of providing 1 class for 4-5 students. Each hoodie provides 2 classes. Any additional donations help maintain and develop dynamic programming.
Beyond Rhetoric is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and 509 (a)(2) public charity that works with kids in the juvenile detention system. We chose the following quote because it has so much meaning:
“The child that is not embraced by the village
will burn it down to feel its warmth” -African proverb
Kids that end up in corrective “care” may leave worse or without a true North Star. There are many factors that lead to their detention--poverty, substance abuse, a history of family incarceration, or simply, poor choices. We know that in the state of Maryland, “Most DJS commitments involve youth who do not pose a high risk of re-arrest [Low & Moderate Risk: 59%]; an even higher percentage of commitments are based on non-felony offenses [non-felony: 66%].” (Annie E. Casey Foundation)
Children in these circumstances often don’t have the kind of support from family, schools, religious organizations, or other parts of their community that they need. To their detriments, they will often try to find any way to improve their own situation as well as the situation of their loved ones.
When children find themselves in Juvenile Detention, at times moved miles from home, they have even less access to resources that would help anyone to be successful and are even likely to reoffend as an adult. What if it was possible to interrupt the cycle? What if dynamic volunteers spend time with the youth, helping to turn their mistakes into opportunities? What if it is possible to save a child’s future? Your purchase will go beyond the “what if” and will invest in the future of Maryland’s youth, our nation’s future.
With your shirt purchases and donations, we aim to connect our most vulnerable youth to passionate volunteers so we can give them a semblance of normalcy in their childhood. We believe that these youth deserve better than the neglect of the proverbial village. Our Maryland-based, community-driven programs give our kids the opportunity to learn new skills, meet mentors, and find passion. Our volunteers enter when the youth are at their “worst.” We don’t offer pie-in-the-sky pep talks or rhetoric. We pull a chess board out and say, “What chu know about chess? Wanna learn? Wanna play?” or we ask “Who wants to learn how to build their own website?” Then, week after week we show up and teach. At Beyond Rhetoric, we bring the warmth; we bring the embrace.
Keep up with latest news on social media: https://linktr.ee/beyondrhetoric
Find out about more about our organization and volunteer opportunities on our website: https://beyondrhetoric.org/
Supporters
Will anyone engage me in a conversation about the African proverb on the back of these shirts/hoodies? I look forward to it!
A better world depends on investing in our youth. I appreciate anyone who spends time with them. God bless you all.
In support of Nathan Orenstein and this worthy cause...
Doing this to support a great cause.
This organization exists to improve the lives of young people. Enough said.
This is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I love the Blog. LEt me know if I can help in any way!
To support my son T.S. Grant's vision to invest in the lives of youth in his community which will cultivate them to have an impact in their own communities.