Statistics
The Brotherhood/Sister Sol’s Theory of Change is:
- To provide multi-layered support, guidance, education and love to our membership
- To teach them to have self-discipline and form order in their lives
- To offer opportunities and access so that they may develop agency
BHSS has documented, evidence based outcomes that display the successful approach of our holistic and long-term model:
Education
94% of BHSS alumni have graduated from high school or earned a GED; with 88% receiving their high school degree
Whereas the high school graduation rate in New York City is 58%, in Harlem the graduation rate is 42% and the Schott Foundation found that the graduation rate of Black and Latino boys is New York City 34%
Critical Decision Making
The teenaged pregnancy rate at BHSS is less than 2%
Whereas Harlem’s teenaged pregnancy rate is 15%
No alumni or member of BHSS is incarcerated and less than 1% have a felony conviction
Whereas one out of three Black males, ages 20-29 are under supervision of the prison system – incarcerated, on probation or on parole
Employment and moving from poverty
95% of BHSS alumni are either enrolled in college or working full time
30% of youth in Harlem, ages 18-25, are either enrolled in college or employed full time
I know the work of this organization and see it as providing an invaluable asset to young people of color in New York City. Khary Lazarre-White and Jason Warwin have done an amazing job of assembling a staff and identifying the kinds of support that are needed by the youth with whom they work.
In the middle of one of the poorest and most drug infested neighborhoods in New York City, youth that join The Brotherhood/Sister Sol family learn about respect, responsibility, choices, and the importance of community involvement. They build positive peer relationships, gain self-confidence, and develop leadership skills. The Brotherhood/Sister Sol encourages members to think about and focus on making decisions that have positive consequences.
