Heal the Hood to provide ‘pro-social’ programming in support of SWITCH Youth

Ladell Beamon’s Heal the Hood Foundation of Memphis, which impacts Memphis youth through the arts, is a new supporting partner of Memphis Allies’ SWITCH Youth program.

As part of that partnership, Memphis Allies recently presented Heal the Hood with a van and a check for $10,000 to help with vehicle maintenance and insurance costs.

“One of our biggest issues has been transportation,” Beamon said. “This solves a huge problem.”

SWITCH Youth participants are ages 12-18 and at a high risk for gun violence – either as a victim, a perpetrator or both. Once enrolled in the program, they have access to a life coach, a case manager, and a clinical therapist.

Memphis Allies Executive Director Susan Deason says the ‘pro-social’ programming provided by the nonprofit offers another avenue for changing lives.

“Ladell and his team have had a lot of success reaching youth through this work,” Deason said. “Heal the Hood is respected throughout the community and will make a strong supporting partner.”

By using singing, dancing, acting, screenwriting and motivational speaking, Heal the Hood hopes to positively influence young people while also helping them to avoid gangs, drugs, peer pressure and guns.

Beamon says his organization once even helped calm tensions between rival gang members by having them collaborate on a movie project.

Community programs often offer sports as an outlet, but Beamon says that might not be a fit for everyone. Heal the Hood will work with at least half-dozen SWITCH Youth participants at any one time.

“The arts,” he said, “can provide emotional healing for a lot of kids.”