Uniting Youth and Police: Project Pneuma's Vision for Community Wholeness

My son has had the privilege of being a part of this one-of-a-kind organization. Targeting grades 4th-8th from Baltimore City Schools whom society has labeled as troubled and at-risk, but the leaders there see our boys as assets, builders and growers to society.

Project Pneuma has not given up on the youth. They see the potential and opportunity that lies ahead for these young men and know that with the right tools and a caring adult continuously showing up in their life, they will be the future leaders our city needs.

The program has afforded my son opportunities that he otherwise would not have been exposed to living in the inner city. This program helps redirect that nervous energy and anger that a lot of our youth have. The staff is very loving yet firm with the young men.

Project Pneuma provides a sense of brotherhood among the boys, building their confidence levels and a sense of belonging. I cannot say enough, except that we need more mentorship programs like this in our communities. The job that Mr. Damion Cooper and Dr. Damien Myers are doing is above and beyond.

Project Pneuma is not only working to breathe new life into young men, they also play a critical role in breathing new life into our city. Project Pneuma’s leadership is uniquely capable of providing the ecosystem to ensure Baltimore’s young men are being prepared academically, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

In addition to exposing these young men to methods they may not traditionally have access to at home or in a school setting, Project Pneuma takes this a step further to work with the Baltimore City Policy Department with the goal of building bonds and establishing mutual respect.

Working with the boys of Project Pneuma, I’ve seen how much a little bit of care and effort goes, when it comes to positively affecting the lives of these boys. During my summer and schoolyear volunteer work I’ve seen that the boys just need someone who cares, in their lives. Personally, the boys have positively impacted me! I can use the lessons I’ve learned from my own trials and tribulations, to help them make better decisions now and in the future. Also, the boys have showed me professionally that this job is more than a job, it’s a family! A family that cares about everyone, both young and old. During the two years I’ve worked with the organization, I’ve witnessed how much the people care about making the students better prepared for life.

Project Pneuma needs our participation. That means sitting down with the boys to help with homework, getting down on the ground with them to do pushups, and running around with them during physical activities. If we do that together, then we'll also build trust together for a new generation, but WE must participate! I promise you, it's worth it. It's love!