This week I'd like to highlight Be Someone, a nonprofit that uses the game of chess, mentoring and motivation to teach at risk youth to be come engaged in the game of life. Focused on "Making Every Move Count," Be Someone is an organization that encourages disadvantage youth to make the hard choices needed to excel and thrive.
I spoke with Be Someone's founder, Orrin Hudson and he has quite a remarkable story. Orrin comes from a big family from Birmingham Alabama. He studied chess and eventually won two championship titles. For him, chess taught him how to think critically and problem solve, two skills he attributes to his success. And his success has been noted by many people including Larry King from CNN, other major TV networks, and the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Be Someone uses chess as a metaphor. They use the game as a way of introducing you to five key characteristics needed for success: Love, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Patience. When teaching chess, Orrin discovered that kids are hesitant to study chess because they feel they will fail or lose. He stresses that you simply cannot win unless you are in the game. This is the philosophy he teaches to kids. Success cannot occur unless you are in the game. Therefore, youth need to be actively engaged in making life decisions.
Be Someone has served over 16,000 kids and won numerous awards including the National Self Esteem Award in 2004, and Beacon of Hope Award.
Donations have tricked down over the late spring and early summer. As school begins, they will need to find space to conduct classes and have afterschool programs. If anyone can help with that, please drop Be Someone a note.
The money from Dollar Philanthropy will be earmarked to sponsor individual children and to provide them the mentoring services they need.
Send your Dollar
You can donate your dollar in several ways:
- Paypal by using the "Click to Donate" here buttons on this page on Be Someone's site. Be sure to send a little extra (25 cents or so) to offset the paypal charges to Be Someone.
- Network for Good: For donations of $10 or more.
- Or By Mail:
Be Someone
7148 Stonebrook Lane
Lithonia, GA 30058
Tags: chess, nonprofit, Orrin Hudson, Be Someone, philanthropy, life skills, at risk youth, self-esteem programs
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