A Home for Our Boys

By Carol G. Asher Capital Campaign Chair Vice Chair Board of Directors

We often think of a home as comfort, safety, warmth, security, family, and a nurturing and supportive environment where all your needs are met.

These characteristics are what more than 200 boys at Son of a Saint have gained in their lives with the completion of its fully renovated headquarters and home base, The Ochsner Health Son of a Saint Bivian Lee Jr. Center, also known as The Clubhouse, located at 2803 St. Philip Street. Son of a Saint’s board, staff, and young men are overwhelmed with the generosity throughout our community from individuals, businesses, and foundations who helped us achieve our $5.1 million goal to complete the beautiful and welcoming new space. My personal focus lies beyond merely the structure of the building, but rather what occurs every day inside its walls.

In Son of a Saint’s new home, the importance of family and community are at the heart of every activity.

Our boys are provided stability, belonging, and opportunity. Each child is treated as an individual - no cookie cutter approach exists at Son of a Saint. Every single boy is met where he is, and his experience is individualized with intention and purpose. The approach is holistic. At Son of a Saint, individuality is encouraged and celebrated. Each young man is defined by what makes him special, rather than what is lacking in his life. These fatherless boys did not ask for their unique circumstances. With a strong mother or guardian and the deep support provided by Son of a Saint, each mentee has the access and opportunity to grow and develop into a self-actualized man.

The facility allows for Son of a Saint to bring previously outsourced services, activities, and experiences in house to meet the needs of the mentees. Mental health and behavior issues are challenges that are met head on by Son of a Saint’s devoted staff of social workers and counselors within the confines of the Clubhouse. There are no stigmas attached to these critical needs.

Son of a Saint’s home is also a space meant for fun, discovery, and exploration. Birthdays are always celebrated in a big way within the walls of Son of a Saint. Robotics programs are provided to every boy who is captivated by space, science, or technology. The tech hub is the meeting place for one-on-one sessions with tutors and technology gurus. Physical fitness, book groups, and art projects all occur inside the walls of our home reaching every aspect of growing boys needs and aspirations. Hands-on cooking and nutrition classes are offered weekly in our state-of-the-art kitchen and dining room. Of course, our kitchen is stocked 24/7 with healthy snacks and meals, because what growing boy does not like to eat?

Every mentee is treated with authenticity. He trusts that he is unique and has a team of people, a family, comprised of professional staff, mentors, and volunteers, always in his corner. He is assured this is not for one day or one summer, but for all of his formative years. The adults who work tirelessly with our boys in the completely reimagined Son of a Saint headquarters make an unrivaled emotional, physical, and psychological impact on the lives of these young men. Most importantly, boys who receive the lifelong foundation of Son of a Saint do not spend their lives sitting on the sidelines watching others succeed. Instead, they are on the direct path to achieving their life goals, something that is made possible because of the lasting bond of trust provided within the walls of Son of a Saint.