YOUR DREAMS, OUR PROMISE

We nurture networks of support that address every stage of a family’s needs, from pre-cradle to career.

Education

Excellent schools to prepare students to graduate from college and chart their own course

Holistic Support

Comprehensive support for children and families in education, health, housing, and more

College & Career

College and career programs for clearer paths to fulfilling work and economic mobility

OUR WHY

Education is a beacon of hope, a pathway through which each generation can build on the achievements of the last

THE PROBLEM

Yet, Black and Brown families are often denied the critical resources needed for children to learn and thrive

THE PROBLEM

Support services are frequently fragmented and out of sync with the needs 
of our community

We’re here to change that

OUR MODEL

Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey

OUR MODEL

BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs

THE OUTCOME

Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.

The family's journey
from pre-cradle to career
Early childhood
  • Prenatal & parental care
  • Early assessment
  • Kindergarten readiness
School age
  • Responsive education
  • Tutoring
  • Social emotional wellness
  • Stable homes
Early adulthood
  • College counseling
  • Tutoring
  • Career pathways
  • Networking
Those we support today become the change-makers of tomorrow.
OUR MODEL

Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey

OUR MODEL

BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs

THE OUTCOME

Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.

The family's journey
from pre-cradle to career
Early childhood
  • Prenatal & parental care
  • Early assessment
  • Kindergarten readiness
School age
  • Responsive education
  • Tutoring
  • Social emotional wellness
  • Stable homes
Early adulthood
  • College counsiling
  • Tutoring
  • Pathways
  • Networking
Those we support today become the change-makers of tomorrow.
OUR MODEL

Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey

OUR MODEL

BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs

THE OUTCOME

Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.

The family's journey
from pre-cradle to career
Early childhood
  • Prenatal & parental care
  • Early assessment
  • Kindergarten readiness
School age
  • Responsive education
  • Tutoring
  • Social emotional wellness
  • Stable homes
Early adulthood
  • College counsiling
  • Tutoring
  • Pathways
  • Networking
Those we support today become the change-makers of tomorrow.
OUR MODEL

Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey

OUR MODEL

BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs

THE OUTCOME

Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.

The family's journey
from pre-cradle to career
Early childhood
  • Prenatal & parental care
  • Early assessment
  • Kindergarten readiness
School age
  • Responsive education
  • Tutoring
  • Social emotional wellness
  • Stable homes
Early adulthood
  • College counsiling
  • Tutoring
  • Pathways
  • Networking
Those we support today become the change-makers of tomorrow.
OUR APPROACH

How we build networks of support

AT BRICK, we create a comprehensive network of services that help families thrive. We cultivate partnerships & programs, resource local change-makers, and unify access to services. Our networks are rooted in the community and create long term impact.

Cultivate

We listen to, learn from, and connect with organizations already doing impactful work. We work hand in hand with community partners to identify available resources, find gaps in support, and collaborate with local leadership.

Resource

We help amplify and resource community-led change, identifying solutions for closing gaps, removing barriers, and fueling systemic change with effective place-based solutions.

Unify

We weave together existing services, incubate new ideas, and build new programs to nurture a BRICK network. This network includes personalized navigation, pre-cradle to career support, excellent schools, strong partnerships, and braided funding.

Excellent schools

We’re committed to excellent K-12 schools that support families in and out of the classroom. Our adaptive curriculum engages students through their cultural heritage and personal interests, ensuring they achieve exceptional college and career pathways. By fostering a love for learning and critical thinking, BRICK prepares students for future success.

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Individualized learning and support

We meet children where they are by customizing the curriculum to tap into their individual interests and ensure they have the necessary support beyond the classroom.

Culturally responsive

We leverage knowledge, cultural heritage, and personal identity to create a learning environment that resonates with and empowers our students.

Comprehensive

Our curriculum focuses on the whole child, incorporating STEM proficiency, humanities, athletics, and creative expression, leading our students to far outperform statewide averages.

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Holistic support

BRICK builds on the strengths of Black and Brown communities to coordinate and provide comprehensive programming for education, health, housing and more. We offer supportive services because we know personal and community success are interconnected. For example, a child’s success in school is linked to the support they get outside of school.

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Strength based & community driven

We build on the existing strengths of our community and invest in relationships. We ensure the individual and the community are the center of decision-making.

Health & wellness

Our programs  cover the full range of family and community needs including education, health & wellness, housing, transportation, human connection, food access, and career & employment support. 

Personalized coaching & collective support

BRICK networks include support from a combination of near-peer and professional social workers, helping individuals pave their own path and develop a sense of power in the face of adversity.

Multi-generational

BRICK networks support the multi-generational needs of the whole family.

College & career

BRICK's college and career programs support individuals in reaching their academic and professional goals. Through a structured sequence of exploration, education, and training, we help participants enhance their academic and technical skills, guiding them towards their personal vision of success.

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Career focused

We focus on the mastery of real world skills, helping participants build the confidence and knowledge to thrive within a variety of growing industries.

One-on-one career advising

BRICK offers customized support exploring career pathways, applying for programs &  jobs, and preparing for interviews.

Do it your way

With professional and near-peer coaching, participants set deadlines, schedules, and habits that fit their lifestyle along the journey to their new career. Our programming allows for participants to take manageable steps towards their goals while working and caring for themselves and their families.

Supportive & accessible

Our higher education programs are local, supportive, and often at no cost to the student after financial aid. They are designed for participants to continue work while leveling up their skills and career. We know life is busy. We work to ensure participants are supported through the barriers that may have gotten in the way in the past, leading to higher graduation rates and clearer paths to fulfilling work and economic mobility.

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Our values

Community rootedness

Our work is rooted in the strength and knowledge of the community. Our work is rooted in love and healing.


Continuous improvement

We pursue our mission with determination and urgency, embracing innovation, taking risks, and evaluating outcomes to continuously  improve.

Accountability

We honor our commitments, we tear down barriers, and we stay honest, keeping our promises to ourselves and our communities.


Reciprocity

Guided by the Ubuntu principle, “I am because we are,” we emphasize mutual support and shared success. We put stock in the process of being in relationship with others.


Faithful commitment

We are driven by a deep faith in the power of children and families, in the mission of our work, and in the attainability of our vision for the future.

Our regions

In 2010 we launched our Newark network. Over the past decade we have refined a model that works. We are now bringing that model to Buffalo, starting with schools as the foundation of support.

Our impact

We’re helping children succeed, families achieve their dreams, and neighborhoods thrive.

2,895

Students, families, and community members supported annually.

+31%

BRICK Gateway Academy graduates enroll in college compared to the national average.

+3%

More of our students are able to advance their reading level each term than compared to the NJ state median.

~500

referrals for student and family social and emotional support annually.

92%

of our students on average are accepted to the college of their choice. The other 8% will will be going to trade school and entering the workforce.

238

families served in the first pilot year of BRICK Road to Success (BRtS) our K-8 school-based navigation program.

Our story
Our story
COMMUNITY VOICES
"You all have it going on in the South Ward. I am just so impressed."
Geoffrey Canada
President- Harlem Children’s Zone
"BRICK leaders listen and seek long-term structural solutions."
Margo & Dan Greenfield
Supporters
"I donated $2 million to South Ward Promise Neighborhood."
Donald Payne
NJ Congressman
"No one else in the country is doing this."
Funding partner
"I'm so pleased with my daughter's teachers at BRICK Gateway Academy."
Ana Perez
Parent
"Collective effort is essential to achieve this work."
Ras Baraka
Mayor of Newark, NJ

Our Team

Discover the talented individuals committed to promoting community well being and explore our open positions.

Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Join Our Team
Join Our Team

Join us

Discover how you can make a difference by volunteering or donating to BRICK. Help create lasting change in our communities.