New Rochelle Accepts “My Brothers Keeper” Challenge

New Rochelle has joined hundreds of cities nationwide in accepting President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” challenge, the City announced Wednesday.

Aimed at improving life outcomes and opening up opportunities for all youth, especially young men of color, New Rochelle’s MBK initiative is a partnership of the City administration and City School District. Their first event, a Local Action Summit, will be held on Thursday, June 11 at New Rochelle High School. All interested community organizations and individuals are invited to attend.

The summit will focus on creating action steps to address six areas of focus- the goals of the challenge- that are critical to ensuring that youth can succeed from pre-K all the way up through college and their careers: entering school ready to learn; reading at grade level by third grade; graduating from high school ready for college and career; completing post-secondary education or training; successfully entering the workforce; safety from violence and providing second chances.

Officials from the City and City School District expressed their support of My Brother’s Keeper.

Mayor Bramson said, “A healthy community can't afford to waste anyone's talents, and all young people deserve a real chance to achieve their potential. Through My Brother's Keeper, we have an opportunity to bring together a wide spectrum of local leadership with the shared goal of building an even stronger city in which everyone counts and everyone can succeed."

"The My Brother's Keeper Community Challenge is about providing opportunities so that everyone can reach their potential,” said New Rochelle Councilmember Jared Rice. “I am pleased that there is such a high level of interest in New Rochelle to create partnerships and collaborate so that we may bring about the necessary resources for our young people. I am optimistic about what we will ultimately achieve."

New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne said, "Our collaboration with the City of New Rochelle on My Brother's Keeper strongly embraces the school district's Strategic Roadmap mission statement: ‘The City School District of New Rochelle, through an active partnership amongst community, parents, staff and students, will provide access to a high quality and challenging education for every child, in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces our rich diversity and drives our success.' We are thrilled to further the goals of our mission in this truly meaningful way."

"We are very pleased the City of New Rochelle has accepted President Obama's My Brother's Keeper challenge,” said New Rochelle High School Principal Reggie Richardson. “The City's partnership with us on this critical initiative is yet another testament to the commitment of the entire New Rochelle community to all students. We are eager to continue the specific work of the challenge that will support all young people lead successful and productive lives. I am proud to be a part of it."

After the summit, the MBK initiative will conduct a policy review and form action steps by August, and launch a plan of action and timetable by late October. The City has set up a website, www.newrochelleny.com/mybrotherskeeper to serve as an information portal during the challenge.
For more information on the national initiative, visit My Brother’s Keeper White House.