Brandon’s story: Believing in a better future because of Beyond the Ball

“One of the things about Little Village is that it’s vibrant, thriving, culturally rich. But we’ve also struggled with historically public violence. With so many young people, and not always many options for things for these young people to do, it’s kind of been like a catalyst for gangs and gang activity.

There’s been a fifty-year gang rivalry happening in the neighborhood, with the east and the west side. Our organization, Beyond the Ball, is located centrally between those rival areas,” shared Executive Director at Beyond the Ball, Robert Castaneda. Beyond the Ball aims to provide another option, through opportunity. This program strives to build resilience, mental health, and emotional intelligence in its young community of boys through sport and play. The program creates a safe space for youth to learn about their feelings, about trauma, and help to give tools to develop ways of thinking to handle that trauma, in a space where there are adults around who really care about their wellbeing.

The goal is to create a safe neighborhood. One that this generation of young people don’t see as dangerous, but rather a great place to grow up and a community to contribute to. A notion that rings true when speaking with Brandon, a participant-turned young mentor at Beyond the Ball, who now knows little Village as a place of opportunity.

For many in Little Village, there’s risk of turning to or being recruited into gang activity – as Brandon puts it, “People might lead you to the wrong path.” Now, a mentor at Beyond the Ball, Brandon’s goal is to help kids feel safe, like they have someone to talk to, and make the right choices.

Brandon says, “Talking to kids and hearing their thoughts is important. Some kids don't feel comfortable talking to their parents, but they open up to us. We discuss responsibilities and other topics, giving them a platform to share their feelings and seek help.

I want to grow into a man who leads by example, showing others the best options and helping them make the right choices. Beyond the Ball plays a transformative role in kids' lives, offering a positive environment and guiding them away from negative influences.

Hope, to me, means having a goal and believing in a better future. I have hope for this community and its kids to grow up in a safe environment and lead successful lives.” Learn more about Movember’s mental health programming for boys and young men.