Silverback Society, Inc

Bringing together capable responsible adults to effect generational change by preparing boys and girls to be capable and responsible adults. The Silverback Society's goal is to recruits and train volunteers to train and mentor a critical mass of children who pass through the eighth grade in New Orleans Public Schools, thereby becoming change agents throughout the community for reducing violence, improving workforce quality and reducing child poverty by providing the next generation with more capable adults..

Since 2007 the Silverback Society has gathered resources to train, coordinate and support the volunteer work of hundreds of men and women from the community to insure that over 500 -600 adolescents annually in 14 - 16 area middle schools have an opportunity to meet their futures, face to face as mentors and role models before being challenged with the opportunity of high school and further learning.
We use a time tested curriculum to train our kids in the principals and ways of successful living. The adolescents that we inspire and support in their "coming up" begin to "hope" for better futures and will be more likely to pursue fulfilling and productive lives, more able to provide resources for the next generation.
As adults who are able to earn respect by what they are able to do "for" people, they will not have to resort to violence to feel respected by their peers or their partners and children Their children will inherit this model of self development and responsibility as normal adult behavior.
Juvenile crime ahs been trending down in New Orleans because children who hope for better have too much to lose through violence and crime. They consider the future before they act.

Testimonials

Comments by Kaja Rhea,
"In the eighth grade, my life changed forever. when I became a proud member of the Silverback Society. Before that Time, I didn't have much guidance in my life. Growing up as a young African American male in New Orleans, it is so easy to get mixed up in the wrong things. You need to have the guidance of people who want you to be great and see you succeed. And that's what the Silverback Society has given to me and so many others.
Kaja is now a NOPD Officer.