Founded in 2011 by skater Mike Smith, The BAY is a non profit in Lincoln, NE that stands out because of its unique mission statement, purpose and atmosphere. Starting out as a young group of skaters going out into the community and giving away items like socks to the homeless has grown into Skate For Change, The BAY's most well-known attribution to the community.
From The BAY's website, "The work at The BAY is centered on creating opportunities for youth to connect them with positive activities, positive adults and the community. The BAY defines its work in terms of building core values, supportive structures and skill sets in youth. The goal of this strength based work is to nurture resilience, shape competencies, teach tangible career skills, encourage independence, form positive support systems and inspire hope for the future."
We had the privilege of speaking with Program Director Shayne Pearson and learning more about The Bay and his personal story. According to Shayne, there is a "big disconnect between kids who need help and agencies who can give them long-term help" in our community. He believes The BAY is an organization that can successfully do this. "Young people are looking for somewhere to go, something to do and people who care,” Shayne said. “The challenge is creating an environment where young people actually want to be. It isn't for the poor kids or the rich kids to fund poor kids, it's for everyone and it does away from stigmas, creating dignity." The BAY offers a full skate park, Skate For Change, and will soon open a coffee shop hosting a music venue, communities for kids to engage in, job training, and plenty more.
Skate For Change, created in Lincoln, now has over 100 chapters, including some in Germany and Argentine. Originally it grew organically with kids "robbing their parents" of socks and supplies and showing up at a mall with their skateboard and backpacks full, ready to go out in the community. Shayne said, "No one runs it, it just exists. You take something you love and you use it to give back. It's been an incredible thing to watch grow." That day Shayne and other staff members helped move a homeless man into his new apartment and off the streets after knowing that individual for years. He added, "We're very aware a pair of socks won't end homelessness but it's really about looking fifteen years into the future where this group of kids can teach a new generation of kids to care about the people in the margins. . . Lincoln is going to be a very different place when they have that empathy. But today there's incredible stories that happen that come out of those relationships in the meantime. Seeing things transform like this is a big deal."
Coming this June (24th), The BAY is opening a new coffee shop in their building. Through their outreach program, women who have been victim of sex trafficking and have been left hopeless without job skills, will be employed and taught skills like money management, customer service, and more as well as provided free therapy and a safe, secure environment to regain strength and hope. The coffee shop will also be complete with a stage, The BAY will be the only all ages concert venue in Lincoln and will hold open mic night every Friday and a performer every Saturday. This will not only allow kids to experience music in a whole new way, but to also take the opportunity of performing live and sharing their creative abilities. In Fall of 2016, The BAY hopes to step into the world of art and digital art, focusing on helping kids channel their creative sides.
“Put a bigger purpose to your passion. You’ll be most impactful on the world when you connect with what you’re doing on that level" a motto Shayne lives for and The BAY embodies. The BAY offers an encouraging, safe, supportive, and fun atmosphere, paired with enabling kids with the skills and ethics needed to go out and better our community. They seek to build a better future by creating a sturdy foundation of generosity and empathy.
The BAY is a registered nonprofit and they haven't taken any federal or state money, but instead rely on families, parents, kids, and businesses. Some businesses involved are State Farm and Capella's. The founder, Mike, has never been paid from The BAY, and cuts every check he receives from his public speaking career directly to The BAY. He has done everything from skating across Nebraska twice to spending a month under a bridge to raise money.
If you are interested in learning more about The BAY or donating time and/or money, please visit them at their website here or follow them on these social media sites:
From The BAY's website, "The work at The BAY is centered on creating opportunities for youth to connect them with positive activities, positive adults and the community. The BAY defines its work in terms of building core values, supportive structures and skill sets in youth. The goal of this strength based work is to nurture resilience, shape competencies, teach tangible career skills, encourage independence, form positive support systems and inspire hope for the future."
We had the privilege of speaking with Program Director Shayne Pearson and learning more about The Bay and his personal story. According to Shayne, there is a "big disconnect between kids who need help and agencies who can give them long-term help" in our community. He believes The BAY is an organization that can successfully do this. "Young people are looking for somewhere to go, something to do and people who care,” Shayne said. “The challenge is creating an environment where young people actually want to be. It isn't for the poor kids or the rich kids to fund poor kids, it's for everyone and it does away from stigmas, creating dignity." The BAY offers a full skate park, Skate For Change, and will soon open a coffee shop hosting a music venue, communities for kids to engage in, job training, and plenty more.
Skate For Change, created in Lincoln, now has over 100 chapters, including some in Germany and Argentine. Originally it grew organically with kids "robbing their parents" of socks and supplies and showing up at a mall with their skateboard and backpacks full, ready to go out in the community. Shayne said, "No one runs it, it just exists. You take something you love and you use it to give back. It's been an incredible thing to watch grow." That day Shayne and other staff members helped move a homeless man into his new apartment and off the streets after knowing that individual for years. He added, "We're very aware a pair of socks won't end homelessness but it's really about looking fifteen years into the future where this group of kids can teach a new generation of kids to care about the people in the margins. . . Lincoln is going to be a very different place when they have that empathy. But today there's incredible stories that happen that come out of those relationships in the meantime. Seeing things transform like this is a big deal."
Coming this June (24th), The BAY is opening a new coffee shop in their building. Through their outreach program, women who have been victim of sex trafficking and have been left hopeless without job skills, will be employed and taught skills like money management, customer service, and more as well as provided free therapy and a safe, secure environment to regain strength and hope. The coffee shop will also be complete with a stage, The BAY will be the only all ages concert venue in Lincoln and will hold open mic night every Friday and a performer every Saturday. This will not only allow kids to experience music in a whole new way, but to also take the opportunity of performing live and sharing their creative abilities. In Fall of 2016, The BAY hopes to step into the world of art and digital art, focusing on helping kids channel their creative sides.
“Put a bigger purpose to your passion. You’ll be most impactful on the world when you connect with what you’re doing on that level" a motto Shayne lives for and The BAY embodies. The BAY offers an encouraging, safe, supportive, and fun atmosphere, paired with enabling kids with the skills and ethics needed to go out and better our community. They seek to build a better future by creating a sturdy foundation of generosity and empathy.
The BAY is a registered nonprofit and they haven't taken any federal or state money, but instead rely on families, parents, kids, and businesses. Some businesses involved are State Farm and Capella's. The founder, Mike, has never been paid from The BAY, and cuts every check he receives from his public speaking career directly to The BAY. He has done everything from skating across Nebraska twice to spending a month under a bridge to raise money.
If you are interested in learning more about The BAY or donating time and/or money, please visit them at their website here or follow them on these social media sites: