YOUTH GUIDANCE IN WASHINGTON DC
History/Background
Youth Guidance and JPMorgan Chase have combined their signature programs, Becoming A Man and The Fellowship Initiative, to deliver a comprehensive counseling, mentoring, and postsecondary readiness program that empowers young men of color with the tools and confidence they need for personal, academic, and career success.
The joint program, branded the The Becoming A Man Fellowship Initiative (The BAM-FI), supports District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) students starting from 9th grade to 12th grade. The BAM-FI program launched in March 2022, serving ninth grade students across four DC high schools: Dunbar High School (Ward 5), Eastern High School (Ward 6), H.D. Woodson High School (Ward 7), and Ron Brown College Preparatory High School (Ward 7).
Becoming A Man® program (BAM®) is a school-based group counseling program that guides young men in 7-12th grades to learn, internalize and practice social cognitive skills, make responsible decisions for their future and become positive members of their school and community.
BAM integrates clinical theory and practice, men’s rites of passage work, and a dynamic approach to youth engagement.
The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) is a partnership between Youth Guidance and JPMorgan Chase designed to expand economic opportunities for young men of color.
We are building a diverse community that develops a pipeline of young men of color who excel academically, graduate high school, persist in college and are equipped to lead change in their communities.
Our program is designed to support fellows in expanding the skills, knowledge, experience, networks, and other resources they need to succeed academically and professionally.
BAM PROGRAM IMPACT
Students enrolled in the BAM Program are:
arrested for violent crime
in school
high school on time
every $1 invested in BAM
WASHINGTON, DC
JPMorgan Chase is our seed funder. They provide successful implementation support for Youth Guidance programming in addition to providing career mentorship opportunities. District of Columbia Public Schools is a key partner for The BAM-FI, supporting participant recruitment, retention, and providing school facilities for programming.
Additionally, the program partners with postsecondary institutions, such as Howard University, and employer partners to create college and career pathways. MENTOR Maryland-DC also provides training for volunteer career mentors and facilitates strategic introductions to grow community engagement.
MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rasheem Rooke
Executive Director | Washington, DC
Rasheem Rooke is thrilled to serve as the Executive Director for Youth Guidance – DC, leading the Youth Guidance expansion into the Washington, DC market.
As the former Director of Workforce Development at DC Central Kitchen, he led the organization’s Culinary Job Training program and workforce development efforts. Prior to transitioning to DC Central Kitchen, Rasheem has served in a number of positions, at multiple colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. His expertise in educational programming has been leveraged to increase the success and college graduation rates for at-risk students from low-income communities.
Aside from his higher education and organizational experience, Rasheem is a published novelist, photographer, and podcast host. He attended the University at Albany (State University of New York) and Howard University, studying Africana Studies and Religious Studies, respectively. He is the proud father of a college student and husband to a middle school assistant principal.