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The North Omaha B.E.A.R.S. program serves local youths, particularly those in "at risk" areas. The acronym B.E.A.R.S. stands for "Building Esteem And Responsibility Systematically" through Academics, Athletics, and Social Enhancement, and that is exactly what the program does.
The B.E.A.R.S. program evolved in 1990 from the concerns of founder and Executive Director Michael Carter about the many youths being consumed by destructive, negative, organized gang activities. In consultation with friends and others with like concerns, it was decided that local youths needed to be provided with some alternative positive organized activities, and that sports would be the perfect "bait" to attract them to this unique program where academics, athletics, and social enhancement all go together.
The North Omaha B.E.A.R.S. Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Expenses are met through continuous fund-raising efforts and contributions solicited from individuals and corporations. The program is run entirely by a very dedicated and diversified group of volunteers.
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The program began in 1990 with forty 13-14 year old boys who formed our first football team; tutoring and social enhancement began at the same time. But our long-term goal from the very beginning was to have a program that would include both boys and girls ages 8-14 and include cheerleading, pom-poms, and other sports to keep them gainfully occupied all year. We now have such a program.
The B.E.A.R.S. program is deliberately designed to be demanding because life is demanding. Our children are taught that there are rules in every aspect of life and rewards for abiding by them. Our program is structured to constantly encourage and applaud their commitment to excellence--not just in terms of victories in athletic competition--but excellence in terms of being good human beings who strive to be the best they can be--at home, at school, and in the community. We enforce and reinforce the fact that sports and academics go hand-in hand. Lessons learned on the athletic field apply to all aspects of life--respecting themselves, getting along with and respecting others, learning to listen and follow instructions, learning the value of teamwork, dependability, and honesty, to name a few--all of which are character-building.
Children are not allowed unrestricted participation in the sports portion of the program without effort and proper behavior in the classroom. All of them are tutored weekly by a staff of volunteers using computers and top-quality software. We formed a partnership with the Omaha Public Schools in 1996, and we obtain permission from all parents for teachers to provide us with information on each youngster's progress. In this way, we can actually tailor a child's tutoring to his/her specific needs. Children come to our program because they want to be there.
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Youths in this program are continuously exposed to positive, constructive activity and positive role models from a variety of occupations. They attend weekly social enhancement sessions where various persons from throughout the city speak to them on a broad range of subjects--from gang involvement to coping mechanisms for youths growing up in disadvantagedl speakers, without exception, encourage the youths to be responsible at school and at home, and to stay away from harmful activities--alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and crime. Additionally, some of our children travel each year to various tournaments. And we all know the educational value of travel, especially since many of the children we serve have never traveled anywhere. #FF4500
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Our accomplishments in all areas of the program have been tremendous as exemplified by our growth both in numbers of children served and activities. We went from a Fall program that served forty 13-14-year-old boys to a year-around program serving both girls and boys ages 7-18.
We have won numerous athletic championships in all sports, including many league championships and two national football championships. We have many former members participating in athletics in high schools across the city plus colleges across the country.
Our program received a one-time demonstration grant from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in 1995 to document our program in detail over a three-year period for possible duplication on a broader scale. From this grant we purchased computers for one computer lab in Skinner Magnet Center, a brand new inner-city elementary public school with whom we have a partnership. In turn, Skinner Magnet Center purchased networking hardware and top-quality educational software for the benefit of all of the children. Skinner's 900 children use this lab during school hours and the B.E.A.R.S. members use it after school for tutoring.
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Our program has been honored by The Omaha Sportscasters Association twice, the Nebraska State Legislature, the Omaha City Council, the Omaha Chapter of the Links several times. Also, both Program Director Mike Carter and Program Advisor Robert Faulkner received the local Jefferson Award from Omaha television station KETV, and Mike was subsequently selected for the national competition in Washington, D.C.. Mike has also received the Black Employee Network at Union Pacific Railroad Salute to Black Omaha Award.
Our program was cited on national television on the NBC Nightly News as an outstanding youth program in 1993. This was as a result of Attorney General Janet Reno's visits to Omaha to confer on youth problems nationally.
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Michael L. Carter, founder and Executive Director, graduated from Princeton University, and attended Creighton University Law School for one year before entering into business for himself. Deputy Program Director, Kenneth Johnson and Program Advisor Robert Faulkner are both graduates of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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Main Page
For more information:
4833 Spaulding
Omaha, NE 68104 US
Email: mlcarter32@aol.com
(402)208-9055
Fax: (402)451-7877
© Copyright 2007 Unlimited Information Services. All Rights Reserved.
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