Program Targets African American Kids

A new program aims to improve the futures of African American kids here in the desert. The Family Health and Support Network launched its new initiative called Building Resilience in African American Families –or BRAAF.

Co-founder of The Family Health and Support Network, Sandra Austin, explains the purpose of BRAAF, saying “It’s an early prevention and intervention program to reduce stressors and the possibility of developing mental health issues later in life.”

The program helps the African American community reduce risk factors and stressors on families, children, and parents. BRAAF’s outreach is threefold. There is a parenting sector has a skill-building program. The cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on giving youth skills to overcome trauma resulting from racism in school. Lastly, the Rites of Passage program helps young boys develop skills to be strong and proud men.

Pastor C.W. Parker, and leader of the Rites of Passage program, says, “we learn our characteristics from the men in our lives, so I believe it’s important to present the image of a positive man in the lives of our young men otherwise they’ll pick up characteristics from the not-so positive men that are around them.”

“A woman can raise a son, but it takes a man to raise a man.” he says.