Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason McBride.
Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
McBride Impact was founded by Jason McBride in honor of his late father John McBride, a notable figure in the Denver community. Jason developed innovative educational programming that captures and maintains the attention of today’s at-risk youth. In terms of interest and consistent attendance, youth participants rated his program’s number one. Jason is a selfless and exemplary pillar in the community earning the 2018 My Brother’s Keeper Award and 2019 Citizen of the Year Award. The local media, news stations, radio, and newspapers highlight his work regularly.
Having turned away from gangs and violence Jason understands the importance of programs that keep inner-city youth off the street and out of trouble. Jason stationed his headquarters close to where he grew up in Denver’s Parkhill neighborhood, allowing central access to strong, healthy, communal ties and resources. The work accomplished by McBride Impact is truly unmatched; however, Jason acknowledged a need to do more to advance his mission and accomplish the organization’s vision
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I have lost over 22 kids to violence since 2015 that has been the hardest part to deal with his loss of young people‘s lives in a senseless fashion. That also doesn’t include the number of kids that we’ve lost to incarceration. And also, you have to be creative in being able to find whatever program or initiative you’re trying to do. Washington has made it virtually impossible to get youth violence prevention funding. We have had to be very creative in getting corporate sponsorships and donations from other entities to keep us going
As you know, we’re big fans of The McBride Impact . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
McBride Impact believes that equity, education, equality, and employment are key to address the multitude of obstacles in underserved communities. We started specializing in youth, violence, prevention, secondary violence, interruption, and things surrounding youth, making bad decisions and gang disengagement. We are kind of evolving into a community organization that tries to address the needs of the entire community as a whole.. our programming reflects that. We do everything from anime and kid run ice cream companies to father motherhood classes, food banks on the job training and other thing that kinda encompasses the needs of the entire community and how we tackle some of those issues.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I worked at ESPN in Bristol Connecticut for 10 years as a producer for ESPN radio.. that really has nothing to do with what we do now it’s just my life kind of took a turn from doing that kind of thing to Community work because of my dad wanting me to get more involved in the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: McBrideImpact.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkXhKCxw4/
