EDIFYE’S THREE PILLARS OF PROGRAMMING
Brake Light Block Parties (preventing police violence and poverty for the FUTURE)
Goal - to check and change brake lights, free of charge, and reduce the harm of police traffic stops for vulnerable drivers. Engage community members and activate athletes in their metro neighborhoods.
How - certified technicians service cars roadside. While drivers wait, we distribute free groceries to all families in need. We also host a block party element with a cookout, family fun, voter registration and area-specific civic engagement. This saves lives and promotes neighborly solidarity.
Chicago Undiscovered Showcase (getting kids into college immediately for the PRESENT)
Goal - to create a path to debt-free higher education for high school senior basketball players without a college commitment and youth that fall through the cracks.
How - rent out a gym, identify and register participants & invite hundreds of NCAA/NAIA coaches and scouts. The kids compete in front of schools with available scholarships, and young men go from an uncertain future to a college degree.
3. Urban Agriculture Program (re-educate and correct for policies from the PAST)
Goal - to sustainably grow our own produce, in areas typically underserved or considered “food deserts,” and offer both career and mentorship opportunities through urban farming.
How - as stewards to a plot of land in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, while working in conjunction with native community members , we aim to create immerse educational/work opportunities for Chicago’s POC youth. Growth will go to a Team Edifye community fridge, offering free, healthier options to neighbors in need.
OTHER EVENTS
Winter Warmth Clothing Drive across Chicago supporting mutual aid groups: Pilsen Food Pantry, People Over Profit.
Gifts Beyond The Gates program with Opportunities Peoples Justice Leaders in Cincinnati, Ohio providing holiday gifts, warm meals, video visitations and love for families affected by incarceration & poverty.
Digital Teach-Ins on Zoom or Instagram Live, pairing athletes with informed leaders in spaces like criminal justice, involuntary servitude, mental wellness and mentorship.