African American Men of Unity (AAMOU) is a 501(c) (3), grassroots organization founded in 1999 with the commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals and families residing in under-resourced communities throughout Aurora and Fox Valley. AAMOU serve at risk youth of all ethnicities. With the mission to implement programs that are best practices approach to bringing about positive change and reducing negative risk factors associated with individual, family and community problems. One of the most unique aspects of our services is that mentoring is on-going from "childhood to career." Mentors are professionals from the community who undergo intensive training and criminal background checks prior to being paired with mentees with similar interest.
Our core objective is to educate youth to avoid gangs, drugs, violence, school failure and incarceration. Our prevention and intervention methods empower participants with coping mechanisms and tools to make better decisions that align with success, stand firm against negative peer pressure and become contributing members of society.
Our strategy is to provide engaging lessons, mentoring and life coaching to motivate and inspire participants by demonstrating positive role modeling, leadership, responsibility and appropriate behavior expected at each developmental stage: childhood, puberty and adolescence to cultivate, values, future leaders and professionals.
Demographics for 2018:
- 46% African American
- 43% Hispanic
- 9% Caucasian
- 2% Asian
Total served: 517
Please Donate: Positive Youth Development
1. Rites of Passage (ROP) At risk youth ages 7-18 are provided guidance, structure, and positive examples of leadership, manhood, responsibility, character and socially appropriate behaviors expected at each developmental stage. Participants have exposure and access to positive role models that educate, motivate and inspire youth to reach academic excellence, social maturity and improve their attitude and overall health and well being. Youth are provided with tools that aid them in becoming productive members in society and achieving school and life success.
2. Jobs for Youth program (JYVP) Participants ages 14-25 earn a stipend while learning employability skills, work ethics, financial literacy and work-based experience. Program aim is to improve job readiness and strengthen employment potential and reduce the tendency to engage in delinquency.
3. Project Safe Summer Basketball (PSSB) violence prevention, recreational program for at risk youth ages 9-13, during the summer months to keep them safe, off the streets and productive. Participants learn fundamentals of basketball (e.g., offensive and defensive drills, discipline, character and teamwork...) and receive mentoring in life skills.
4. Back to School Fair over 1000 families with students K-12 belonging to low income households received backpacks, pencils, paper, binders, one, three or five subject notebook, glue stick, scissors etc.... So that students start the school year equipped with adequate school supplies necessary to pursue academic excellence.
5. Cultural Enrichment & Civic Leadership: Both, Juneteenth and Kwanzaa are culminating events which bring the whole community together to celebrate family, community, culture and the outstanding accomplishments of our participants. Youth participants play a major role in planning these civic leadership projects, which have the goal of improving community cohesion, strengthening commitment to family, empowering youth and adults to excel and reduce violence.
6. Mentoring: 75% of at risk youth are raised in a female headed household with limited or no access to their biological father. We become the positive role model, mentor and father figure to encourage and develop their career pathway. Mentoring is on going from childhood to career.
