The mission of the Blue Nile Passage, Inc. is to develop the spiritual, cultural and moral character of America’s youth. Within that mission, we help youth develop a philosophy of life, which not only allows them to function in a responsible manner, but also inspires them toward great levels of achievement.

The Blue Nile Passage, Inc. offers a culturally enriched, well-rounded curriculum that includes Rites of Passage, Mentoring, Parent Training, Media Literacy and Economic Boot Camp. Presented in a loving environment, the Blue Nile 's instruction in manhood and womanhood training functions as a disciplined, challenging, and interactive guide for young people.

RITES OF PASSAGE

Divided into two separate but equal components known as the Sons & Daughters of the Blue Nile, the rites-of-passage component presents initiates with the skills, knowledge and tools they will need to navigate and conquer life's sometimes turbulent waters. It provides information to help them understand who they are, where they have come from, where they must go and what they must do. The program provides seeds of wisdom that will allow them to become positive and productive members of society. It gives them tools to unlock the doors to success and to see the world through an African-centered, Christian based perspective.

Youth come not only from Central Harlem, but also from all five boroughs of New York City. Some have even come from as far away as New Jersey and Connecticut. The program is a nine-month interactive program that runs from September through May. It is held at the Thurgood Marshall Academy located at 200 W. 135 th Street in Harlem from the hours of 9:45am to 2:00pm. The program culminates with two “passing through” ceremonies, one for the Daughters and one for the Sons (see photo gallery). There is also a weekend trip (for those who pass-through) to a sleep-away camp where the youth participate in team building activities including low and high-ropes, a picnic, debate teams, basketball games and a sacred “passing through” ceremony in the woods at night.

In addition to the integration of culturally rooted customs and rituals, there are seven principles of enrichment in which youth are instructed. Each principle lasts four weeks and includes interactive lessons and/or field trips that extend and enhance the concepts taught. The following principles encompass the core training:

1. PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
2. HEALTH & WELLNESS
3. SPIRITUAL GROUNDING
4. COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS
5. HISTORIAL BLACK EXPERIENCE
6. ECONOMIC AWARENESS
7. POLITICS

MENTORING

Mentoring is a core component in the development of our youth. Each Blue Nile initiate is attentively matched with a pre-screened and trained adult mentor. In many cases, the one-to-one relationship that begins as a tentative youth/mentor exchange flourishes and matures into a connection where the mentor becomes a friend, advisor and trusted confidant. Some of our volunteers pride themselves on their mentor/mentee bonds that thrive years beyond the program experience, punctuated with sleepovers, graduations, family celebrations and even vacations abroad! Mentors are encouraged and expected to mentor/guide youth not only for the nine-month program year but for life.

Mentors must attend 4 hours of training, have 3 letters of reference, carry themselves in a respectful manner, sign a contract stating their understanding of the program terms and the core lessons given in the training, and sign a form stating that they have never been involved in pedophilic acts. Mentors must outreach to their mentees at least twice a week and attend monthly mentor meeting with other mentors and the Mentor Coordinators of the program. These meetings help the coordinators and mentors evaluate the mentor/mentee relationship and to offer further guidance and/or support where needed.

PARENT TRAINING

The initiates aren't the only ones in the family that benefit from their rites-of-passage experience. Our program encourages and expects parents to become actively involved in the process as well. Parent Training offers caregivers a certain level of inclusion in the curriculum and rites-of-passage experience.

Before the start of a new principle area (i.e., Health and Wellness), parents are encouraged to meet with the facilitator or coordinator of the topic. Facilitators present a synopsis of the concepts and lessons planned, provides insight regarding teaching methods, activities, vocabulary, then tackles queries or concerns parents may have. These training sessions have proven invaluable in that caregivers receive the priceless gift of spirited dialogue, where ideas and problem-solving techniques are swapped in a concerned, supportive environment. It gives the parent the opportunity to be enlightened by the same knowledge that their youth will be receiving and, therefore, provides the opportunity for the family to share/talk about/experience together.

Lastly, there is a very committed and active Parents Association that helps support the program in a number of ways including fundraising, keeping a database of alumni and their families, making sure lunch is provided weekly, and being a support network to help fellowship with and support incoming parents and their families.

MEDIA LITERACY

The Media Literacy program is an extension of our manhood/womanhood training. Youth who have successfully “passed through” the rites-of-passage component are eligible to become a member of the Media Literacy Program. Television, magazines, newspapers, radio and, most recently, the Internet emit vast amounts of information, positive and negative, obtainable at the touch of a button. We understand the powerful influences of mass media and how it directly influences the thoughts, actions and feelings of individuals. Therefore, we have designed a program whose purpose is:

• To instill an appreciation and understanding of the mass-media industry
• To understand how mass-media can be used as a tool to educate and uplift people through the use of positive messages and images
• To show youth the power and influence that mass-media has on their lives
• To help youth gain scholarships, internships and employment in the mass-media industry and
• To open up awareness of possibilities and the potential of becoming an entrepreneur in the mass-media industry

ECONOMIC BOOT CAMP

Through a partnership with two organizations in the Harlem area, Harlem Renaissance Economic Development Corporation and Playing2Win Technology Center, Blue Nile helps sponsor and promote the Harlem Renaissance Young Entrepreneurs Business Boot Camp. The one week long program (soon to be expanded to a year) is a summer training program designed to teach young people about entrepreneurship. This program is designed to serve young people who have an interest in business from the ages of 12 through 18 to develop the tools and skills to start and operate a business. This component an extension of our manhood/womanhood training. Only youth who successfully “passed through” the rites-of-passage component are eligible to participate through the Blue Nile, however, the other two organizations have their own participants and screening process.

Program components include:

• Classroom instruction – topics include business planning, marketing, advertising, costing, pricing, recordkeeping and are presented in the program’s morning session
• Interactive classroom exercises – fun activities to emphasize learning of business concepts.
• Hands-on computer workshop – in the afternoon, participants will utilize the computer to reinforce classroom learning by learning how to prepare a business communication and how to use Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Illustrator and other software.
• Biz Bag – a business brief case that includes business text book, business plan guide, recordkeeping manual, electronic organizer and other business tools.

In addition, the BNP's overall program mission is to:

• Provide opportunities for youth to participate in activities geared toward self-improvement and esteem building;
• Implement program systems that instill in youth a base and moral code, which will prevent them from engaging in anti-social, self-defeating, destructive behavior;
• Provide and understanding of how the function of economics relates to the role of the family and community;
• Develop a cadre of present and future role models who will eventually sponsor and produce similar youth programs for their own communities, designed to help create better-functioning neighborhoods that become desirable, sought-after places to live and work.
• Provide guidance in vocational and career preparation.
• Disseminate information about health issues relevant to youth and society at large that emphasize positive lifestyles, nutrition and intervention, while showing the connection to personal behavior;
• Introduce youth to a basic understanding of mass media and its effect on our thoughts, desires, self-image and career decisions;
• Provide youth with an understanding and appreciation of skills such as public speaking, time management and conflict resolution.