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
Education is a beacon of hope, a pathway through which each generation can build on the achievements of the last
Yet, Black and Brown families are often denied the critical resources needed for children to learn and thrive
Support services are frequently fragmented and out of sync with the needs of our community
We’re here to change that
Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey
BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs
Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.
The family's journey
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
Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey
BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs
Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.
The family's journey
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
Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey
BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs
Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.
The family's journey
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
Ensuring every family has the resources they need to support their child’s journey
BRICK cultivates, resources, and unifies essential place-based programs
Ultimately, BRICK networks belong to the community, propelling a sustainable cycle of social and economic growth.
The family's journey
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
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.
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.
We help amplify and resource community-led change, identifying solutions for closing gaps, removing barriers, and fueling systemic change with effective place-based solutions.
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.
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.
We leverage knowledge, cultural heritage, and personal identity to create a learning environment that resonates with and empowers our students.
Our curriculum focuses on the whole child, incorporating STEM proficiency, humanities, athletics, and creative expression, leading our students to far outperform statewide averages.
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.
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.
We focus on the mastery of real world skills, helping participants build the confidence and knowledge to thrive within a variety of growing industries.
BRICK offers customized support exploring career pathways, applying for programs & jobs, and preparing for interviews.
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.
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.
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.
Newark
Our flagship network. We launched Newark in 2010, beginning with K-12 education paired with the creation of South Ward Promise Neighborhood and Gateway U to realize the potential of our model.
Buffalo
BRICK’s second region opened in Buffalo NY with the launch of BRICK Buffalo Academy Charter School in 2023. Learn more about our plans to build a comprehensive network 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%
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.
In the news
Stay updated with our latest insights, news, and events
Meet our team
We're a group of passionate community leaders dedicated to supporting children and families forge opportunity-filled futures.
Join us
Discover how you can make a difference by volunteering or donating to BRICK. Help create lasting change in our communities.