This year’s after-school program starts on September 8th. Our program serves students in 3rd through 12th grade to enrich their learning experience and prepare them for success. We are currently at max capacity!
1500 59th Ave. N. Brooklyn Center – Door 1 Purple Building B202
Ongoing Events
The Inner Hero After-School Program
This year’s after-school program started on September 8th. Our program serves students in 3rd through 12th grade to enrich their learning experience and prepare them for success. We are open for signups.
Location: We meet at Brooklyn Center Elementary.
1500 59th Ave. N. Brooklyn Center – Door 1 Purple Building B202
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 pm.
Below are testimonials, videos, and images from this year’s After-School Program.
After-School Program 2026-2027
Good afternoon, Parents,
Thank You for Attending The Inner Hero After-School Program Parents’ Meeting
Dear Parents and Guardians,
On behalf of The Inner Hero, I want to sincerely thank each of you for taking the time to attend our After-School Program Parents’ Meeting.
Your presence, participation, questions, and willingness to work together mean a great deal to us. Our students’ success depends not only on the work we do during program hours, but also on the strong partnership between our staff, parents, and families.
As we begin this new program year, we ask that we all remain committed to the expectations and procedures discussed during the meeting, including student safety, drop-off and pick-up procedures, cell phone expectations, communication, attendance, and family support.
Please remember that communication is extremely important. If you have questions or concerns about your child or the program, please contact our team so we can address them together.
Thank you for trusting The Inner Hero with your children. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We are looking forward to another successful year of academic support, mentorship, character development, and positive experiences for our students.
Together, we are not just helping our children succeed today; we are helping prepare them to become tomorrow’s leaders.
May God bless you and your families, and thank you again for being an important part of The Inner Hero family.
With gratitude,
The Inner Hero Team
Testimonials
The Inner Hero Youth Pathway to Civic Education and Careers
Youth Pathways to Civic Education and Careers (YPCEC) Series aims to activate lifelong civic engagement by presenting the community with relevant and engaging civic education through resource sharing, speakers, and facilitators in community and educational sectors.
The Inner Hero Organization’s YPCEC series is committed to offering student and parental opportunities to become educated and involved in civic sectors by presenting educational programming and activities that promote awareness of local, national, and global civic initiatives to encourage youth civic engagement, activation, and participation.
YPCEC Videos
YPCEC Images
The Inner Hero Summer Program
Program Schedule
Start Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2026
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
What to Expect
✅ Academic Enrichment
✅ Leadership Development
✅ Team Building Activities
✅ Field Trips & Outdoor Fun
✅ Mentorship & Life Skills
✅ Creative Projects & Innovation
Who Can Join
Youth and teens in our community who are ready to learn, grow, and become their best selves!
Location
1500 59th Ave N
Brooklyn Center Elementary Schoolol Program.
Testimonials
Summer Program Videos
Some of Our Summer Program Students in 2026
I am a good singer, and I love singing and dancing. 
I’m funny and I like playing basketball. 
I like baking for friends and family. 
I like playing Roblox. 
I like to play basketball. 
I like to play soccer. 
I like to play video games. 
I like swimming and playing games. 
I like to sing. 
I like to do art and decorating. 
I like sports, especially football and basketball. 
I like to dance. 
I like to play computer games. 
I like to play basketball. 
I like playing sports, especially basketball. 
I love running track. 
I enjoy playing games and doing gymnastics.
The Inner Hero Summer Program 2026
🎨☀️ Summer Project in Full Swing! ☀️🎨
Creativity is on full display at The Inner Hero Summer Program! Our students are hard at work designing and creating their very own custom denim projects while learning the value of patience, creativity, teamwork, and self-expression.
Beyond the art, they’re sharing meals together, building friendships, encouraging one another, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Every project is more than just a craft; it’s an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and discover the unique gifts God has placed within each of them.
We’re proud of our young leaders for showing up each day with enthusiasm, imagination, and a willingness to learn.
Thank you to our parents, staff, volunteers, and Community Heroes for investing in the next generation. Together, we are inspiring, empowering, and educating tomorrow’s leaders.
The Inner Hero summer program for youth is crucial in several ways:
- *Personal Development*: The program focuses on helping young people discover and develop their inner strengths and talents. This self-awareness is critical to building confidence and resilience, essential for personal growth and success.
- *Skill Building*: Participants engage in activities that enhance critical skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are invaluable not only in academic settings but also in everyday life and future careers.
- *Positive Role Models*: The program connects youth with mentors and leaders who serve as positive role models. These relationships can inspire participants to set and achieve higher goals, fostering a sense of direction and purpose.
- *Community Engagement*: By involving youth in community service projects, the program teaches the importance of giving back and being active, responsible members of their communities. This instills a sense of civic duty and empathy for others.
- *Healthy Lifestyles*: Through physical activities and wellness education, the program promotes healthy living. Encouraging an active lifestyle and teaching about nutrition and mental health helps youth establish lifelong healthy habits.
- *Safe and Supportive Environment*: The program provides a safe space for youth to express themselves, try new things, and learn from their mistakes without fear of judgment. This supportive environment is crucial for their emotional and social development.
- *Academic Enrichment*: Often, the program includes academic support, such as tutoring or educational workshops, to help prevent summer learning loss and prepare students for the upcoming school year.
In summary, The Inner Hero summer program is vital in shaping well-rounded, capable, and compassionate individuals. Addressing various aspects of personal and social development equips youth with the tools to succeed and positively contribute to society.
August 8th, 2026 – 10th Annual Basketball Tournament
WHAT AN AMAZING 10TH ANNUAL INNER HERO BIEBER CLASSIC!
Today, Saturday, August 8th, we celebrated a major milestone: The Inner Hero Bieber Classic 10th Annual Basketball Tournament at Legacy Hoops on Wooddale Drive in Woodbury! 
TEN YEARS of bringing together our youth, families, athletes, volunteers, leaders, and Community Heroes through basketball, mentorship, teamwork, and community engagement. What started as a vision continues to grow into something bigger than basketball; we are investing in the Next Generation!
A very special THANK YOU to Mr. Jay Hesby, our consistent and faithful sponsor, for continuing to believe in The Inner Hero’s mission and vision. Your partnership and commitment over the years have helped make opportunities like this possible for our young people.
We also extend our deepest appreciation to our Board of Directors, dedicated staff, volunteers, coaches, players, families, sponsors, partners, and all of our incredible Community Heroes. Your time, resources, energy, and support made our 10th Anniversary tournament a tremendous success!
To everyone who showed up, played, served, encouraged, cheered, and helped behind the scenes, THANK YOU!
The trophy represents a championship, but our greatest victory is seeing people come together to Educate, Inspire, and Build the Next Generation.
10 YEARS DOWN AND WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED!
THE INNER HERO – EDUCATE. INSPIRE. BUILD.
Our Mission
Create spaces and programs for youth that reduce violence, build trust, and encourage education that empowers youth to be productive citizens.
Our Vision
Safe communities for everyone where youth reach their full potential.
May 2020: We’ve updated our Mission and Vision statements and we are excited that it aligns with our focus on Education, Community Engagement, and Mentorship.
The Scope of The Inner Hero’s Work
Then and Now
The Inner Hero In the Media
The Inner Hero is impacting the community! See some of the latest. Check out our Events page to see the full list of current and past.
The Inner Hero Impact
Watch the impact of The Inner Hero over the last several years.
The Inner Hero Impact Stories
Listen to stories of those impacted by The Inner Hero.
Celebrating the True Legacy of my Grandparents!
Ambrose shares his story.
Lessons from Dual Parenting – Our Story
Learn how to achieve success at home in a family setting.
Servant Leadership
Ambrose R. Russell interviewed the web developer and why he has continued to serve and work with The Inner Hero. He describes it as a consistent organization and focused on the community and its present needs.
The Inner Hero Impact
Ambrose R. Russell interviewed Maxwell J. Tahija, the content creator for The Inner Hero. Learn about him and his passion for working with The Inner Hero to bring long-term change to the Twin Cities.
You Can See the Change
“I’m very proud that the Minneapolis Police Department is a proud member along with The Inner Hero because Inner Hero’s work is transformational.” – Chief of Minneapolis Police Medaria Arredondo
“As a leader, if you want to be successful you got to listen to people.
When you speak less, but you speak profoundly, and you listen more. Because when people find out you can listen to them, they follow you better. Meaning the idea you have is not just yours, but theirs, it’s inclusive.”
– Ambrose R. Russell
Despite all of our differences within our homes, schools, communities, cities, states, and our nation, we at The Inner Hero Organization believe that love is the key to changing others’ unique lives. As you watch this video, please find The Inner Hero within you for us as a community to love again.
Testimonials
No few words can sum up my time working with Mr. Russell at The Inner Hero. After 2 years as a tutor, I feel like I’ve learned just as much about myself as I have taught the kids around me. To me that speaks volumes about Mr. Russell’s character and the organization he has build his life around. His faith in me as a tutor, but more importantly a leader allowed me to not only succeed at my position, but also be a role model and inspiration to those who were just a few years younger than me. Our connection felt more as though it was a partnership. I felt involved, which in turn motivated me even further to impact the program and the organization to drive success. Mr. Russell has a drive for helping and serving those around him that I’ve never seen in my life. It goes without saying that a program with the vision and the mission like this one is difficult to come by because of that. Moving away to college my next school year can be a pretty daunting idea, and I’m sure the program will miss me just as much as I will.
Before working with The Inner Hero, I was shooting music videos, fumbling at specific responsibilities as a young man, trying my hand at a video company, and doing so by creating content for brands, finding my way as a young man. Without a strong father figure, I was trying to define my idea of what it meant to be hardworking and gain life skills.
When I met Ambrose, he was instrumental in my growth as a man and a good person. He demonstrated generosity of spirit and time and showed grace, courage, consistency, and discipline in the things necessary to him. That showed me what it was to be the leader of a household and, ultimately, a community. Ambrose’s diligence in working with others who lacked support or guidance warmed my heart. It proved that there are good people in the world, so much so that I began working directly with The Inner Hero after meeting him, as I just wanted to be around his energy. He showed me how to run a proper business and conduct myself as a man, a person of God, and someone selfless for the right reasons. Regardless of skin tone, background, or affluence, the work I’ve gotten involved with stretches all bounds and helps me sleep well at night with the impact we make on a day-to-day basis on our future generations.
I can honestly say my life is a lot better since I am around Ambrose, and getting to return that favor to other young people has been a great gift in reciprocity; thanks to The Inner Hero and Ambrose, I can say I am proud of the man I am today.
Since I was introduced to Mr. Russell, he has provided me with some of the tools to help me become a more successful person in life. I’m now 18 years of age, Mr. Russell has helped me get my driving permit, social security card, bank account, and a job. I couldn’t have done all of these things without the help of The Inner Hero. Mr. Russell calls and meets with me weekly to make sure I’m staying on track and I want to say a big thank you for all the help given to me.
Since I met Mr. Russell, I have learned a lot from The Inner Hero. Не helped me build my self-esteem as a teenager, he has taught me how building and keeping your character stainless is one of the best things to have as a role model. He has guided my focus on education, by attending meetings at my school and calling weekly to check on my progress with my school counselor along with meetings with me. He has also taught me about the things of God and family values.
Mr. Russell is a very hard-working and dedicated man. When he approached me and asked if he could mentor me, I was nervous, but after I said yes, he instantly got me an opportunity to meet police officers. I’m very blessed to know and work with Mr. Russell. Anyone who works with Mr. Russell is guaranteed blessings and chances that are unspeakable. Thank you, Mr. Russell.
Educate
Many youth who are struggling academically and socially are attending school, but not learning. We focus on identifying and cultivating their academic interests and passions as well as guiding them to explore and identify career interests and options.
Build Character
We believe that strong character is the foundation of a successful future. We work with youth to guide them both to succeed academically and also to develop values such as respect, perseverance, and excellence. We help them develop the social and emotional skills necessary to form and develop good relationships and build a strong foundation for their future.
Inspire
We provide mentorship and positive role models to inspire youth to strive for educational success, set and work toward future career goals, and develop strong character. By connecting youth not only with caring adults but also with peers who understand their experiences, we show students that they can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.