Do Good Saturdays

Youth picking up trash on Do Good Saturday

Youth BBQing for the community at Brookfield Park.

Do Good Saturday Schedule 2014

January 18th: Beautification of 11th, 12th, 13th Ave, E.24th. E23rd, E22nd, 28th, Stuart, and Bella Vista Streets. Helping a single mom with birthday party.
February 1st: Helping Tribe Church move locations. Helping a neighborhood family move.
February 15th: Emerson Elementary School Work Day?
March 1st: Safety Patrol Clean Up at BV. D2 Clinton Park
March 15th: Roosevelt Middle School Work Day in with help from City Council President Pat Kernighan's Office, Harvest Church and Americorps Volunteers.
March 29th: Help with Fruitvale Youth Basketball League Kick-Off.
April 9th: Walk of Peace, Prayer and Protection.
April 26th:
May 10th:
May 17th:
May 31st:

"It's a Cold World
So We Keep It Lit.
Let Your Light Shine!"

Fighting crime and feelings of victimization by DOING SOMETHING GOOD

One Saturday, an Oakland High School student was robbed of his cell phone. He recognized the guys and asked his friends to help track down the perpetrators of the crime. After finding out who the guys were on Facebook, one of the Trybe mentors got a call to help work the situation out. A mediation meeting was called at the local recreation center, but when the guys denied that they were involved, the victim had three options:
1. File for a citizen's arrest and take all of the responsibility and liability upon himself to retrieve his phone.
2. Get angry and call his cousins to help force the guys to give the phone back.
3. Get sad and pick up a video game controller to help deal with his feelings.

All three options were bad. He didn't want to snitch, grab a gun or play video games. He said, "That's cold. I know those guys. I'm even friends with one of their little brothers. And they're just going to do that?" There was a look in his eyes and the tone in his voice worried the mentor. It was one of sadness and resignation that could quickly turn to anger and thoughts of revenge. Too many youth in the city too easily get a gun and shoot people.

It's a cold world......................

Because of that statement, the Street Team decided to organize, “Do Good Saturdays” every other Saturday. The idea was to do something about the helplessness, loss of control and anger one feels when they are violated. Instead of grabbing a gun or video game controllers or drugs, youth and neighbors grab pick up sticks and shovels, clean small businesses and help non-profits and churches. They do good rather than be eaten up inside by the feelings of victimization. The Street Team is leading the way by donating portions of their internship stipends that are matched by local non-profits and churches to create a fund to help replace stolen cell phones, laptops, broken windows, shoes, etc. With each Saturday and dollar donated, the "cold world" feeling is replaced with faith, connection, and community.

Conceived and Led by Youth

The best part about Do Good Saturdays is that they are conceived and led by youth.
Youth think of the next project and ask the community for input;

they meet with principals, pastors, neighbors, non-profit directors, mothers, or small business owners to work out the details and logistics;
youth then recruit their friends, clubs, neighbors, and families to help.
finally, the Saturday comes, and the group (from 3 to 25 volunteers) DO GOOD.
The project times vary, either 9a-1p or 1p-4p, usually in 3-hour blocks.

Know of Something, Somewhere, Somebody that needs help?
Make contact here

Past Do Good Saturdays

Clean streets are the result of January 18th Beautification of the Bella Vista, Highland Park neighborhoods.

February 15th: Do Good at Emerson Elementary School in partnership with NSO Tribe Church.

2/16: Do Good at Lake Neighbors Valentine Social. Hanging out with neighborhood children playing games and meeting to plan the Bella Vista Wednesday Club.

March 1st: Do Good at International Blvd. Graffiti abatement in partnership with Eastlake Merchants Association.