February 27 marks a significant milestone for the Uniondale School District: On this day, the District celebrates the ten-year anniversary of the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) program. The Uniondale School District has been a strong advocate for MBK since its inception, as the program aligns with the District’s goal to enhance and expand upon the opportunities afforded to boys and young men of color. Uniondale School District became a New York State recognized community in 2021 and was recognized as a nationally certified MBK community by the My Brother's Keeper Alliance and Obama Foundation in 2023.
“As we commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the My Brother's Keeper program, we reflect on the transformative power of unity, opportunity and community support,” said Superintendent of Uniondale School District Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “This milestone reaffirms our dedication to nurturing the potential of every boy and young man of color in Uniondale, ensuring that they have the resources and empowerment needed to not just succeed in life, but achieve their dreams.”
In the past three years, the Uniondale School District has established three student MBK chapters at Lawrence Road Middle School, Turtle Hook Middle School and Uniondale High School, as well as a MBK local steering committee. The committee comprises all the District’s principals, students, staff, community leaders, university representatives and elected officials, and is currently focused on developing evidence-based programs targeting key life milestones from early education to post-secondary success.
Uniondale’s MBK Alliance has hosted many impactful community events, including the Back-to-School Supply Give-away, Father-Son Brunch and a Hoops for Mental Health basketball event. The alliance continues to support the young men who become aspiring leaders and are making a difference in their communities every day.
The MBK Model Communities program, which celebrated its successes at the National MBK Conference attended by President Obama, provides Uniondale School District with direct access to coaching, evaluation support and a network of peer learning, along with substantial direct funding and resources. Uniondale School District's recognition and certification by the MBK Alliance places it within an esteemed network committed to ongoing improvement and collective impact.
For more information on the Uniondale Union Free School District, visit the website: https://district.uniondaleschools.org. Like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/uniondalek12 and follow us on Instagram: @Uniondale_k12.