Big Homies Foundation
Our Mission
Founded in July 2001 by community leader Vernon Andrews, Big Homies Foundation intervenes in the lives of underprivileged young men and women facing the staggering challenge of life in the inner city: absent fathers, domestic violence, gang violence, drug abuse, premature sex, school truancy and other obstacles to a healthy adulthood. We establish longitudinal mentorship relationships based on trust, discipline, and love to help our mentees develop the skills and habits needed to build successful, prosperous lives.
Mentorship
Our programs are designed to build longitudinal mentorship relationships between our students and mentors. Our mentors provide our youth lessons learned only through experience, helping them develop the right habits and practices they need to develop in their early years.
Film Program
Our film curriculum is designed to help high-school students in our community build key life skills and habits, such as attention to detail, teamwork, and conflict resolution. In our curriculum, our students collectively develop their own script over Friday and Saturday evenings. We shoot our students’ film at the end of the curriculum, bringing their ideas to life. Our curriculum culminates in a premiere and graduation event, celebrating our students and their work.
Reading and Science Program
Our youth are in danger of falling farther behind in developing core academic skills, particularly reading. Our reading and science program provides hands-on, engaging opportunities for our youth to develop their reading skills. We take youth on field trips to places like the Aquarium to foster their interests in the sciences as well.
Pastor Vernon Andrews
Founder & Executive Director
Pastor Vernon Andrews founded Big Homies Foundation over 25 years ago with the commitment to help at-risk youth avoid making the same mistakes he made early in his youth. Through Big Homies Foundation and his calling as Pastor at Mt. Hebron Baptist Church, Pastor Andrews has faithfully served his community for decades, helping countless individuals who have nowhere else to turn. He embodies the spirit and mission of our organization, and his commitment and perseverance have built our organization into what it is today.