MISSION STATEMENT
BAM Music & Fine Arts provides music and fine arts education as a means to intervene against youth and young adult violence, crime, and substance abuse. Our evidence based programs provide protective factors while addressing behavioral and mental health challenges our beneficiaries may face.
Vision Statement
As a means to help restore mental and spiritual health, our collaborative efforts offer the therapeutic value of cultural music and performing arts to people who are marginalized, silenced or at risk for violence, crime, substance abuse, social injustice, prejudice, and isolation. Many of those who participate in our performances have experienced traumas related to violence.
Our team is made up of passionate and dedicated individuals who are committed to making BAM MUSIC AND FINE ARTS a success. We work tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of program services and events are carefully planned and executed to perfection.
Bridget Means–Director
Bridget Means has served the city of Chicago for over 20 years carrying out duties as the administrative director for Chicago’s 28th Ward Alderman’s office located on Chicago’s Westside. She has also served as a Cook county clerk of courts manager. She is a mother to 8 young adults and Grandmother to 9 children.
Sam Cockrell-Director
Sam Cockrell is a professionally recorded bassist, band leader, music instructor and mentor with over 40 years of experience in the music industry. He has been inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.
Darlene Garner- Director, Case manager/Program coordinator
Darlene Garner holds (MSW, LCPC) and is responsible for counselling and case file management.
Kevin Means- Exec. Director /Program coordinator
Kevin Means is a 25 year career Electrical engineer and has studied the Bachelors Science Nonprofit Administration programs at Trinity International University and Criminal Justice at Chaminade University of Honolulu. He holds Associates of Liberal Arts degrees from The University of Hawaii and ITT Technical institute. He is an 8 year Veteran Army officer. Mr. Means has over 20 years of service as a Minister of Music.
Our mission began in 2004 with the vision to provide transitional housing and supportive services for adult men from substance abuse, mental illness and homelessness; while sharing our love for Jesus Christ.
BAM House developed BAM Building Maintenance Services and BAM Foods as a means to financially support our efforts while providing paid on the job training for BAM House residents.
We provided Food service for special events and festivals and we provided contracted building maintenance and repairs for customers and supporters at discounted rates.
Bam House established reputation as a strict tough love program while helping beneficiaries to achieve their goals.
Our grass-roots efforts helped us to keep our doors open with a minimum operating budget.
We continuously fulfilled our mission by providing our residents with tools to become self-sufficient; which empowered them to pay their own program fees.
No one was turned away due to inability to pay. Our organization solely relied on the financial support of donors and payment of program fees by the residents we served.
CHICAGO PROJECT SAPP VIOLENCE
(AFTER SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM)
BAM house received a Grant from the State of Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, and with the support of Governor Pat Quinn, Former Illinois State Senator Annazette Collins and Chicago 28th ward Alderman Ed Smith we developed Project SAPP Violence. The project helped to reduce risk factors for violence and increased protective factors for youth ages 10-17. The after school program offered fine arts and performing arts activities to youth ages 10-17. The project was carried out at (2) two Chicago Public Schools, Marshall H.S and Tipton Elementary.
40 beneficiaries were registered for the summer camping trip which took place August 20- 24, 2012. Activities included: Camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, orienteering, music lessons and performances.
PHOENIX ARIZONA
(SUMMER SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM)
During spring of 2022, BAM partnered with The BLACK MOTHER'S FORUM to provide summer school music programs to serve Phoenix youth. They learned music history, appreciation, basic theory and composed a song entitled "Love makes me feel happy and safe'.
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