Events

After-School Program
Youth Pathway
Summer Program

September 3, 2024 – The Inner Hero After-School Program

Our after-school program has begun. We are actively seeking more students between 3rd – 12th grades to join our program and enrich their learning experience. Register now! Space is limited!

New Location: We are now meeting 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.

Registration

Below are testimonials, videos, and images from the last year’s After-School Program.

After-School Program – Video Updates

We want to extend a big thank you to all the staff, students, and parents for an amazing week! Your hard work and dedication made it a success, and we’re excited for a productive week ahead. Thank you from The Inner Hero—where we Educate, Inspire, and Build our community Heroes!

Thank you for an incredible week at The Inner Hero Afterschool Program!

Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Brooklyn Center Elementary School Team, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for the positivity, dedication, and teamwork that made this week at The Inner Hero Afterschool Program so impactful. Your hard work and encouragement create an environment where our students can thrive, grow, and feel supported every day.

To our parents, thank you for your constant support and commitment to your children’s growth. It’s a privilege to work alongside you, supporting our young people’s journeys.
To our students, your enthusiasm, kindness, and focus on learning make each day a pleasure. Keep up the fantastic work!
To our staff, your dedication and passion are the foundation of this program. Thank you for creating a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space for our students.
And to the wonderful team at Brooklyn Center Elementary School, we’re grateful for your partnership and the positive environment you foster for our students and families. Your support is vital to our shared mission of building strong, empowered young people.
Here’s to more weeks of success, growth, and collaboration. Thank you all for making The Inner Hero such a special community.

With appreciation, The Inner Hero

A special thank you to all the parents, students, and staff for your weekly commitment to this program and for helping to improve the lives of our future leaders. We are grateful for your dedication and everything you have done. Together, we are making progress one day at a time. Let us continue to guide the next generation, ensuring they grow into productive citizens. Thank you for your ongoing support of this program.

Shout out to the incredible students in The Inner Hero Afterschool Program! Your dedication to learning and growth is inspiring, and we are so proud of your hard work! A big THANK YOU to our amazing staff for your unwavering commitment and to Brooklyn Center Elementary School for welcoming us into the building. Together, we are creating a space that uplifts, educates, and shapes our future leaders! At The Inner Hero, we believe in the power of education and mentorship to build our next generation of leaders. Join us in being a part of a community dedicated to educating, inspiring, and building the next generation!

Parental Testimonials

The Inner Hero After School Program has proven to be more than an after-school program. My son Israel has bonded with the staff, who are incredibly engaged in the environment positively, and communication is excellent, even when I have challenges. In getting my son to the YMCA as a parent, they made transportation available daily, taking him to the YMCA and bringing him home. In addition, I’m continually impressed with the diverse activities and exposure to sports and extra activities. My son can now play basketball and swim, which he could not do. Inner Hero is fantastic on so many levels. I chose The Inner Hero’s program simply for the ease and reassurance of having my son on-site before and after school. However, the more significant benefit is how connected The Inner Hero’s staff is to the program – to the activities, students, and the community. It helps make Israel’s transitions seamless. Israel had a wonderful experience at The Inner Hero, an after-school program, and started to look at the program. My son initially experienced significant adjustment challenges with school, which carried into his before and after-school care. While I fully expected the school to provide me with resources to help with his challenges in the classroom, I never would have guessed that the Inner Hero Director and program would go so far out of their way to ensure that my son had a positive experience in inner Hero and, beyond that, in school. The team at Inner Hero is top-notch! They tailor their approach to each child, and you can see and feel their genuine love for children in everything they do.

Korto Beman

Markell, in 6th grade, struggled to get his homework completed and turned in. I came across a flier in my email from Fair Crystal School for the Inner Hero program and decided to give it a try. Markell has been in the program for 6 weeks, and his grades have started to improve. I recently had a meeting with his teachers, and they asked if he was still going to his after-school program, and they said that they could see the difference. Later that night, I checked in with Markell to see how he felt about the program. I wanted to know if he felt the program helped him at all and if he liked the staff, students, and the environment overall, and if he wanted to continue the program. He said he enjoyed the program and wanted to continue going. He enjoys the kids in the program, whether it’s working, trading Pokemon cards, or playing basketball. He says that the staff is kind and helps him understand and comprehend his homework. He has a much better understanding of what he is doing. As a parent, I enjoy the program. Ambrose has been very professional, and he is always available to talk to and to problem-solve if need be. I look forward to the future with Inner Hero.

Lashanna

Being a mother of four kids (all boys), it was a big struggle to leave work, make dinner, and help everyone with their homework or take them out for recreation. The Inner Hero has made everything stress-free for me and my family. Our boys are so excited and look forward to attending after-school programs as scheduled. There have been massive improvements in their lessons since The Inner Hero stepped in. For this quarter, one of our sons made it on the Honor Roll, receiving a certificate of improvement in reading. All thanks and appreciation to The Inner Hero after-school team for all the work they put in to make our kids succeed. Thank you.

Bettie Karmo

April 30, 2024 – 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.

October 25th was an unforgettable day for our Youth Pathways to Civic Education and Careers Series! We were honored to welcome Assistant Police Chief Alice White, the highest-ranked Black female officer in Minnesota, as our guest speaker at FAIR Middle School. Junior high students had the incredible opportunity to hear her inspiring journey firsthand. Thank you, Chief White, for empowering our youth and showing them what it means to lead with resilience and purpose.

June to August 22nd, 2024 – The Inner Hero Youth Summer Camp Program!!

The Inner Hero Board of Directors, Staff Volunteers, Parents, Mentees, and Community Heroes,**

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your incredible dedication and hard work in making this year’s Summer Program a resounding success.

Thank you to the Board of Directors for your vision and leadership, which continues to drive our mission forward. To our staff volunteers, your tireless efforts and passion have made a difference in the lives of our mentees. To the Parents, thank you for trusting us with your children and supporting them throughout the program. And to our mentees, your enthusiasm, growth, and commitment have been inspiring to witness.

Finally, to the Community Heroes, your contributions have been invaluable, and your presence has enriched our program in ways we could never have imagined.

This summer has been a testament to the power of collaboration and community. Together, we’ve created lasting memories and opportunities that will impact the lives of our mentees for years to come.

Thank you once again for your dedication and support.

Warm regards,
Ambrose R. Russell
Founder and Executive Director
The Inner Hero

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.