City Kids. Big Dreams.
Leveraging Community Resources
Meet Symia, future fashion designer, who was able to dream, design, & create her very first skirt. Resources: One industrial sewing machine, fabrics & threads, and one very committed mentor from the community. #FutureFashion
Meet Darius, future YouTube star, who directed, recorded, and edited all of our first year Block Buy Block promotional videos while learning the skills of a professional. Resources: One video camera, one computer, $100 for a tripod, microphone, and video editing software. #D-Magic https://www.youtube.com/D-Magic
Am I Next?
Compared to adolescents in higher income families, young people in lower income families tend to have worse academic outcomes, lower graduation rates, and reduced future earnings. Poor and low-income teens arrive at young adulthood in worse health, engaging in riskier and more dangerous behaviors, and with more limited career prospects than their more affluent peers. Young people from poverty have the potential to make meaningful contributions to our society and economy, but often lack access to vital resources and professional supports.
Success Builds Upon Success
With $500 to buy a sewing machine & fabric & armed with a network of mentors, Symia could launch her career in fashion design. With $1000 in technology, Darius could professionalize hisYouTube channel & edit & post HD videos. With less than $100 for a USB microphone & paired with a writer, D'Shawn could document his story with the goal of publishing a memoir. The dollar amounts were not astronomical, but without action, these dreams would have died.
Block Buy Block is committed to providing every one of the students currently enrolled in our program with access to the vital resources that they need in order to develop successful businesses and the skills of a professional. Additionally, we strive to match each young young person with a professional mentor in their chosen field to provide guidance, support, and experience.
We Need Your Help
Your donation will allow us to provide 100+ at-risk students with access to material goods like computers, cameras, sewing machines & sound recording equipment, mentors & professional training, as well as to host community-wide events designed to lead to internships & shadowing opportunities. Block Buy Block is 100% volunteer operated & supported, so your entire tax-deductible donation amount will go directly to the young people who need it the most. Together we can leverage community resources to truly make a difference!
Our History
Block Buy Block was founded in March of 2017 by Jason Mabee, a lifelong educator with Baltimore City Public Schools. Given two groups of mixed grade & ability levels & asked to teach two 90-minute courses called SAT Prep, he recognized the towering disconnect between the needs & dreams of his students & the resources available. The courses evolved to include film & novel study, social science & extended writing projects, culminating in individual business & career plans that were presented to an authentic audience of community members. The quality of their efforts & the depth of their potential literally brought tears.
But talking the talk wasn't enough.
Less than one year later, Block Buy Block is a fully incorporated 501 (c)(3) with a diverse and committed board of directors, 100+ students in an entrepreneurial & career development program, and a clear vision for empowering at-risk youth for success.
"If young people are giving their best efforts toward success, then we owe them ours."
Jason Mabee - Founder, Block Buy Block