Who We Are
African American Men of Unity (AAMOU) is a 501(c) (3), organization founded in 1999 with the commitment to empowering underserved individuals and families with education, training and resources to fulfill their divine purpose, improve their quality of life and promote self efficacy in impoverished communities. AAMOU serves at risk youth of all ethnicities, regardless of challenges, socio-economic background or academic deficiencies. We are here to support families struggling with the managing the day to day stresses and help youth avoid the pitfalls of life, enrich their cultural aptitude and preparedness to reach their full potential. AAMOU believes that education, training and certification are essential keys to unlock the doors of opportunities, prerequisites for youth to see the value in themselves and achieve optimal self sufficiency. In 2014, AAMOU were featured in the Beacon News as “Mentoring Model for the country and recipient of the ABBE award for “Out Standing Not for Profit” from the Daily Herald.”
History
AAMOU began in the summer of 1999 in Aurora IL. After seeing so many young people destroy their lives with gangs, drugs, violence, incarceration, etc… Several men decided they could no longer stand on the sideline and watch our youth continue to tumble in a whirlwind of hopelessness and despair. So, they joined together to help eradicate the problem. Their solution was to transform children at risk from being potential suspects into productive prospects contributing to the betterment of society using the following principles:
“Each one must Teach one.”
Rites of passage, journey and celebration is a process that validates a boy has become a man; not by age but through acquired knowledge of self, the realization of purpose, maturation in thoughts, and demonstration of responsibility. “When I was a boy, I thought like a boy, talked like a boy, and acted like a boy, but when I became a man, I put childish things aside.” “Knowledge transforms the mind like weights transform the body.” A boy must see a successful man, in order to be a successful man. It’s imperative that youth know and understand that “success leaves footprints.” “There is nothing new under the sun, anything that they want to accomplish has already been done. All they need to do is read the book, watch the video, get a mentor, and walk-in their shoes.” Rites of Passage means to change, being prepared, and transformed through the sharing of knowledge…Change the way they think, and change the way they act:
- From acting Negative (engaging in mischief & delinquency) to being Positive (conforming, adapting, and doing what’s expected)
- From acting Immature to being Mature
- From acting Irresponsible to being Responsible at home, school, and social life
- From failing Academically to Improving GPA (grade point average)
- From acting Unmotivated to being Inspired
- From acting like a Follower and easily misled to being a Leader and trailblazer
Since the eons of time, manhood has been celebrated by African tribes, Jewish Bar Mitzvahs, and fraternities in one way or another through initiation, markers and achieving milestones. Understanding societal norms can be very confusing, the rite of passage will help define, prepare and aid youth in their personal journey in becoming a man. Unlocking True Potential
- Once the journey is complete, we celebrate manhood and acclimate the young man into the community as a responsible adult with the ability to adequately support themselves, obtain employment and contribute to the growth and prosperity of society.
- He knows what he’s going to be, when he Grows Up, He knows what he’s going to be, when he Becomes a Man… He has guidance, structure, brotherhood and positive examples of leadership, manhood and appropriate behaviors…. He has developed the knowledge to make informed decisions on whether to get a job, attend college, enter an apprenticeship or join the military. He has the skills to function independently, balance a checkbook, pay bills and be self sufficient. We call this process, Harvesting the Crop.
“When you know better, you do better.” “Change the way you think and change the way you act is called the turnkey effect.” AAMOU began in the summer of 1999 in Aurora IL. After seeing so many young people destroy their lives with gangs, drugs, violence, incarceration, etc… Several men decided they could no longer stand on the sideline and watch our youth continue to tumble in a whirlwind of hopelessness and despair. So, they joined together to help eradicate the problem. Their solution was to transform children at risk from being potential suspects into productive prospects contributing to the betterment of society using the following principles:
“Each one must Teach one.”
Rites of passage, journey and celebration is a process that validates a boy has become a man; not by age but through acquired knowledge of self, the realization of purpose, maturation in thoughts, and demonstration of responsibility. “When I was a boy, I thought like a boy, talked like a boy, and acted like a boy, but when I became a man, I put childish things aside.” “Knowledge transforms the mind like weights transform the body.” A boy must see a successful man, in order to be a successful man. It’s imperative that youth know and understand that “success leaves footprints.” “There is nothing new under the sun, anything that they want to accomplish has already been done. All they need to do is read the book, watch the video, get a mentor, and walk-in their shoes.” Rites of Passage means to change, being prepared, and transformed through the sharing of knowledge…Change the way they think, and change the way they act:
- From acting Negative (engaging in mischief & delinquency) to being Positive (conforming, adapting, and doing what’s expected)
- From acting Immature to being Mature
- From acting Irresponsible to being Responsible at home, school, and social life
- From failing Academically to Improving GPA (grade point average)
- From acting Unmotivated to being Inspired
- From acting like a Follower and easily misled to being a Leader and trailblazer
Since the eons of time, manhood has been celebrated by African tribes, Jewish Bar Mitzvahs, and fraternities in one way or another through initiation, markers and achieving milestones. Understanding societal norms can be very confusing, the rite of passage will help define, prepare and aid youth in their personal journey in becoming a man. Unlocking True Potential
- Once the journey is complete, we celebrate manhood and acclimate the young man into the community as a responsible adult with the ability to adequately support themselves, obtain employment and contribute to the growth and prosperity of society.
- He knows what he’s going to be, when he Grows Up, He knows what he’s going to be, when he Becomes a Man… He has guidance, structure, brotherhood and positive examples of leadership, manhood and appropriate behaviors…. He has developed the knowledge to make informed decisions on whether to get a job, attend college, enter an apprenticeship or join the military. He has the skills to function independently, balance a checkbook, pay bills and be self sufficient. We call this process, Harvesting the Crop.
“When you know better, you do better.” “Change the way you think and change the way you act is called the turnkey effect.”
Our Impact
The Positive Youth Development Model promotes five youth outcomes: 1. Positive self concept 2. Reduce problem behaviors3. Improve self regulation 4. Better academic performance 5. Less substance misuse or abuse According to psychologists, it’s important to support, nurture and develop mind, body and spirit early in life. These dynamic factors represent internal characteristics, interpersonal skills, and competencies that our programs can work to build and strengthen in youth, while cultivating values, future leaders and professionals. AAMOU collects data on specific school and community problems prior to implementation of programmatic processes, strategic plans and determining the best approach possible. Staff responsible for the delivery of services undergo extensive training and preparation to be fully competent at addressing the identified unmet needs of clients. Both staff and clients establish specific goals, expected outcomes and evaluate the approach and if necessary refine processes as needed on a case by case basis. Rites of Passage Mentoring: ROP served 110 students and improved their confidence and motivated participants to achieve school and life success. FIRE Intervention Program: 225 students were served and were able to identify resources, select their career interest and know the pathway to achieve their career goal. Job for Youth Internship Program (JYIP): This Job training program provided 20 youth and young adults ages 14-25 with little or no work experience with job readiness and work based experience to increase their chances of being hired. Skills and Drills Basketball Program (SDB): SDB served over 80 at risk youth who learned the benefits of hard work in sports, school and life. Back to School Fair: Over 1200 students K-12 belonging to low-income families received backpacks filled with school supplies, paper, note books, pencils, glue sticks, protractor, scissors etc. Pop UP Food Give Away: In partnership with the City of Aurora, New Covenant Church, Northern Illinois Food Bank, & Interfaith Food Pantry, we were able to serve over 5000 families experiencing food insecurities. Cultural Enrichment: Aurora is a very diverse city, with people from various backgrounds, experiences and socio-economic status. For at least two days out of the year people throughout Chicago land from all walks of life come together to celebrate the human family. Both Juneteenth and Kwanzaa are culminating events which bring the whole community together to celebrate family, community, and culture through singing, dancing, storytelling and eating good food. Over 3000 people attended these celebrations every year.
CEO/Board of Directors
Ricky RodgersExecutive Director712 S. River St.Ste. HAurora, IL. 60506 630-606-1910ricky1rodgers@aamou.orgIsaac WilsonPresident712 S. River St.Ste. HAurora, IL. 60506iwilson@aamou.orgRandy Ryder
Rites Of Passage Facilitator
712 S. River St.
Ste. H
Aurora, IL. 60506
rryder@aamou.orgJames GreerRites Of Passage Facilitator712 S. River St.Ste. HAurora, IL. 60506jgreer@aamou.org Elizabeth Howell
Operations Coordinator
712 S. River St.
Ste. H
Aurora, IL. 60506
ehowell@aamou.org
Partners
AAMOU have joined with other service providers in the development of a network of services, which mutually contribute to the betterment of our cities youth to provide effective services and quality programs. AAMOU will share resources whenever it is deemed practical in the most cost efficient manner.