We Are Urban Dreams, Inc. (WAUDI)

Dallas, TX

WAUDI empowers young men to disrupt cycles of violence, helping them make positive changes in their lives and their wider community. WAUDI creates space for middle and high-school-aged boys to build self-confidence and learn coping strategies to prepare them for the next chapter of life. Amon Rashidi, Executive Director of WAUDI, explains, “My idea is to teach boys to become men so they can become responsible fathers, brothers, uncles, and play the major role [in the community] that is missing.” By cultivating a positive and supportive environment, we teach brotherhood & self-accountability while providing an alternative to violence.

As a Heal America Summer of Healing grantee, WAUDI is dedicated to undermining cycles of violence in communities by providing alternatives to youth, teaching coping mechanisms for trauma, and equipping them with tools and support to become their best selves. With the Summer of Healing grant, WAUDI is paying for and providing mental health classes for Realities and Responses teachers to ensure they are able to effectively discuss mental health challenges and de-escalation strategies with students. Additionally, the funding is being used to create merchandise, including shirts and sweatshirts, and pay for a professional camera crew to document WAUDI’s work with the community to spread their message of positive change for individuals and the community at large.

BARRIER

During the 2019-2020 school year, national rates of high school graduation for Black students were nine percentage points lower than their white classmates. If students decide to attend a four-year public institution, Black students have a completion rate of 46 percent compared to 67 percent of white students during the same time period. However, graduation rates for Black college student-athletes are almost twice as high, with 81 percent graduating, according to NCAA statistics. After identifying the connection between sports and academic success, WAUDI was formed to integrate wellness and community-building to create pathways for positive youth development.

SOLUTION

WAUDI focuses on three levels of education to holistically support youth and young adults: well-being, social, and emotional. WIFI Sports is WAUDI’s initiative to share health and wellness information and practices. “WIFI” stands for Wellness Information for Inspiration, and the “sports” building blocks are Support, Progression, Opportunities, Resources, Teamwork, and Strategy. Rashidi explains how these are “essential ingredients to achieve any goal,” teaching students the recipe for success in sports as well as their day-to-day lives. WIFI Sports teaches students the value of nutrition, meditation, yoga, and fitness by providing daily workout sessions. Of course, exercise is not the only priority in this program. Rashidi adds, “By promoting teamwork and goal setting, these sessions can help students build the confidence and resilience they need to overcome adversity and achieve their goals.” Sports and teamwork are a conduit for building self-esteem in young men, giving them the tools to achieve their dreams while supporting their teammates.

WAUDI teaches socialization through My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), an initiative started by former Pres. Barack Obama in 2014 following the death of Trayvon Martin. MBK aims to build “safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color.” The MBK Dallas chapter is operated by WAUDI, giving WAUDI autonomy to create and modify their teachings to meet the ever-changing needs of their students. Participants are taught shared values regarding brotherhood, learning how to depend on each other while understanding what it means to be reliable. Students are held accountable for upholding MBK values in and out of chapter meetings, and participants elect officers to teach leadership and communication skills. Students are assigned to smaller groups within the cohort, called “impact groups,” which allow participants to create closer bonds and fulfill service projects in the community. Rashidi describes how the impact groups “help young men build a stronger sense of self and a more positive outlook on their future, reducing the likelihood of involvement in criminal activities and promoting positive engagement with the community.” By learning how to encourage their peers, students learn how to motivate themselves, building healthy and robust connections while strengthening their self-belief.

Through their Realities and Responses program, WAUDI facilitates in-depth training to empower youth while teaching vital skills regarding mental health, behavior modification, and violence de-escalation. Students learn coping strategies for managing their emotions and behaviors. By validating and addressing mental health struggles that can lead to disruptive or harmful conduct, WAUDI prevents future incidents from occurring. WAUDI includes parents and guardians in their Realities and Responses training so the community surrounding a child can participate in their child’s education. Rashidi explains the importance of parents engaging in their child’s education, saying, “I call it teaching and learning. You can’t learn without teaching or teach without learning.” Rashidi emphasizes the need for parents to be equipped with the tools to help their children learn in and out of school environments, ensuring personal development continues at home by encouraging them to follow their passions and become their best selves.

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