The Brotherhood/Sister Sol announces $10.7 million dollars in funding toward the construction of
the leading out of school time building in New York City – the creation of a model for the nation.
New York, NY (May 1, 2017)
The Brotherhood/Sister Sol (Bro/Sis) is proud to announce that this November they will begin construction on their new
home. This 20,000 square foot capital project provides critical support to one of the leading citywide youth development
organizations in New York City. This development allows for the creation of the necessary physical site for an organization
that is being modeled across the country.
The hard and soft constructions costs associated with the new building are approximately $12,000,000 and they have set a
$15,000,000 target for the entire effort, inclusive of repaying their existing mortgage, creating a building systems replacement
fund and an endowment. They have already secured over $10,700,000 in funding for this three-year development and
construction effort.
The architectural firm of Urban Architectural Initiatives is designing the building; and Gilbane Building Company, one of
the largest privately held and family-owned construction companies in the field, is managing the project. Their government
relations firm, one that has been critical to the success of this project, is Kasirer Consulting. The Board of Directors of
Bro/Sis is deeply committed to this expansion and their advice and leadership has been critical to the success of the effort.
“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is one of the most unique youth development organizations in the country. I know their
work well and they teach young people to become social change makers, activist-artists and to succeed in life. Their
work is transformational and their new building in Harlem will allow for the further development of an essential
organization that works every day for equity, equality and opportunity. It will represent the solidifying of an
institution.” – Harry Belafonte
“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol stands among New York’s most vital youth development organizations. Its
groundbreaking work serves as a national model for keeping young people from becoming involved in crime. We are
proud to invest $2M in The Brotherhood/Sister Sol’s capital campaign to create a state-of-the-art home in West
Harlem and empower thousands more young New Yorkers with the tools they need to succeed.”
– Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
“I truly believe the power of community can really lift people up, especially when a community comes together and
gives back to young people. I also believe that such opportunities, when presented, can be the gateway for a whole
new world and The Brotherhood/Sister Sol does just that. The NYC Council is proud to have given over $6.1 million
in capital funding to help The Brotherhood/Sister Sol continue to carry out their mission of providing services that
will help inspire and uplift our youth.” – New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is one of the best youth development organizations in New York City. From the top
leadership to the front line staff, the quality of their work with young people is second to none. I have participated in
youth greenmarkets, summer camp programs, and celebratory gatherings in their garden, but I know that the young
people also travel all over the world with Bro/Sis, and that when they go to college, they will be prepared both for
their studies and campus life. Bro/Sis is an organization where innovative ideas are realized with distinction, and I’m
excited to see what they’ll be able to do with the new green building they have planned. I fully support their efforts to
build this model out-of-school time facility in Harlem.” – Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer, provided
$250,000 in funding
“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is an exceptional organization that gives kids of all ages access to one-of-a-kind
programs that develop and nurture the whole person. They serve youth locally and across the city, emphasizing the
importance of being members of a community. I have seen first-hand the impact they have on children and their
families by fostering independence, creativity, responsibility, and confidence in the children they serve. From
afterschool programs that teach leadership skills, to green markets and job training, The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is
making a difference in the lives of countless New Yorkers. Moreover, their programs are run by some of the most
talented and inspirational leaders New York has to offer, dedicated not just to developing the youth they serve but
also giving them opportunities to succeed later in life. “ – New York City Council Member Mark Levine, provided
$1 million dollars in funding
Additional support for this project has been provided by New York State Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
($500,000), New York State Assemblyman Robert J. Rodriguez ($150,000) and former New York State Assemblyman
Keith L. T. Wright ($500,000) as well as from private sources.
Bro/Sis was founded in 1995 and provides holistic and long-term support services to youth who range in age from eight to
twenty-two. Bro/Sis offers wrap around evidence-based programming such as four-six year rites of passage programming,
thorough five day a week after school care, school and home counseling, summer camps, job training, college preparation,
employment opportunities, community organizing training, and month long international study programs to Africa and Latin
America.
The Brotherhood/Sister Sol (Bro/Sis) is unique in that: 1) We are an evidence-based program that serves young people of
color from economically poor communities and are seen as a model for the nation; 2) We affect policy conversations on issues
that directly effect our membership on a New York City and national level and 3) We publish curricula and educate and train
direct service providers and educators across New York, the nation and internationally and partner with NYC’s Department of
Education to build schools based on our youth model.
The themes of Bro/Sis are Community, Knowledge, Positivity and Future. Their educational model is based on their Curriculum Focus
Issues, which include themes of leadership development, educational achievement, sexual responsibility, sexism and misogyny,
conflict resolution and violence prevention, political education and social justice, Pan-African and Latino/a history, and global
awareness. Bro/Sis’ Theory of Change is to provide multi-layered support, guidance, education and love to their membership, to
teach them to have self-discipline and form order in their lives, and then to offer opportunities and access so that they may
develop agency.
Bro/Sis has earned national recognition for their evidence-based model, receiving an array of awards, including from Oprah
Winfrey, Ford Foundation, Brown University, New York Women’s Foundation, Fund for the City of New York, the National
Recreation Foundation, and the New York State Department of Education.
This new building will allow for Bro/Sis to build an expanded state of the art site for their children and the community and a
model for the educational field. Assorted New York State and New York City agencies have stated that that this development
is one of few buildings of its kind being built in NYC and the only one in Harlem – 100% community educational use, no
housing or retail or other areas of focus. This is solely a home for the development of Bro/Sis, a space to work to change
policies that will more broadly and systemically help these children, and a building to train the field so that others can improve
their youth development outcomes. Bro/Sis is excited and proud to announce this vitally important step.
“Thank you for your leadership in providing services that empower and inspire our youth. The Brotherhood/Sister
Sol is a great example of how our community organizations can change lives for the better.”
– United States Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand
“The Brotherhood/Sister Sol is using their passion to uplift and inspire a next generation through extraordinary work
that creates leaders and a sanctuary for children where their members can develop a higher vision of themselves.”
– Oprah Winfrey
