My Brother's Keeper Summit to Be Held in White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, NY — The White Plains Youth Bureau will host a My Brother’s Keeper Summit on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at White Plains Highlands Middle School.

According to organizers, the My Brother’s Keeper initiative was started by President Obama with the goal of improving the life outcomes of boys and young men of color and is focused on six milestones:

• Getting a healthy start entering school ready to learn: All children should have a healthy start and enter school ready – cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally.

• Reading at grade level by 3rd grade: All children should be reading at grade level by age 8 – the age at which reading to learn becomes essential.

• Graduating from high school ready for college and career: Every child should have the option to attend postsecondary education and receive the education and training needed for quality jobs of today and tomorrow.

• Completing Post Secondary Education or Training: Every child should have the option to attend post secondary education and receive the education and training needed for quality jobs today and tomorrow.

• Successfully entering the workforce: Anyone who wants a job should be able to get a job that allows them to support themselves and their families.

• Keeping kids on track and giving them second chances: All children should be safe from violent crime; and individuals who are confined should receive the education, training and treatment they need for a second chance.

Earlier this year, White Plains became a My Brother’s Keeper Community. This Summit represents one of the City’s first steps in implementing the goals of this national initiative here in White Plains. The Youth Bureau is inviting all citizens — youth, business, clergy, parents, service providers etc. — to participate in the Summit, which will include interactive workshops to help develop strategies and priorities for addressing the six My Brother’s Keeper milestones in White Plains.

Mayor Tom Roach said, “Today, we have the opportunity to change the trajectory of our young boys and young men of color by taking concrete steps that will help ensure that they graduate high school and college and have the skills, support and network to succeed in the workplace.”

Through this initiative, the Obama Administration is joining with cities and towns, businesses, and foundations who are taking important steps to connect young people to mentoring, support networks, and the skills they need to find a good job or go to college and work their way into the middle class.

To register for the My Brother’s Keeper Summit please contact Laura Montoya at 914-422-1378 or lmontoya@whiteplainsny.gov.

White Plains Highlands Middle School is located at 128 Grandview Ave. in White Plains.

Photo caption: President Barack Obama delivers remarks at an event to highlight "My Brother's Keeper," an initiative to expand opportunity for young men and boys of color, in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 27, 2014. Photo credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.