Benefits and Entitlements Advocacy Community Outreach Network

 

 

B.E.A.C.O.N. is a vehicle for youth development based on the concept that today’s youth must learn from yesterday’s heroes to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Utilizing modern communications techniques B.E.A.C.O.N. offers a literacy enhancement program with an emphasis on theater arts, poetry, music and mass media/internet technology, combined with role modeling, adult mentorship and peer counseling.

Our purpose is to increase self esteem and help our young people develop a positive social value system. Inner-city youth need to have beautiful experiences in order to grow just as do suburban and rural youth.

The challenge is to glean what positive tools we can from a sometimes unwieldy, often hostile environment and bring them to bear for our youth within systems of safety, nurture and encouragement.

The programs through which these goals are to be achieved are tried and proven methods used in many urban areas across the country but are being applied specifically to the area in which we live.

 

Passages Platform

The Passages Platform is our unique approach to youth development based on the age old practice of ‘rites to passage’ consisting of Young Manhood and Young Womanhood Transitions Seminars. Each module of these seminars is designed to move young men and women across the threshold to adulthood. Upon completion of the seminar a ritual ceremony is held in the community and the participants are given their due recognition and welcoming acknowledgment into the community as adults.

 

Society of  Writers & Artist Guild and Registry (SWAGR)

SWAGR is a clearing house for young and budding performing artists in the fields of literature, theater arts, media communications and fine arts. This module has as its main component the “Cultural Ambassadors Program” which allows younger artists to gain exposure and to be involved with professionals who can share a wealth of experience, guidance and technical assistance.

The Safe Café

The Safe Café is a concept of the Poet’s Bench which supports forums for artists bring their work, ideas, and opinions to share with others. Through the linkage of existing venues under the banner of “The Safe Café”, we are creating a virtual calendar of events and places to be throughout the day where youth can go and find a nonsense free, drug free, and alcohol free environment. Every place listed as a Safe Café, is also a performance space where artists can participate unencumbered with the genuine support of fellow artists and the broader community. Artists young and old come there to showcase their work while participating in an ongoing dialogue on how to build a saner planet, a safer hood and an environment for creativity. For listings of the Safe Café go to

www.geocities.com/poetbench.

To participate in the Benefits and Entitlements Advocacy Community Outreach Network Program, students are urged to register by submitting a letter of intent online via email to:

[email protected]