My Nonprofit Reviews

Full disclosure… I am on the board of directors for Sims-Fayola. I am submitting this statement because I am proud of the work this organization does and always impressed by the energy and passion of its staff, especially Mr. Dedrick Sims. Sims-Fayola offers a variety of very valuable programs and services for the young men we serve and even more services and programs for their educators, advocates, parents as well as other groups that work with young men (especially young men of color). Programs provided by Sims-Fayola include:

For Boys:
• The Boys Are Talking Forum (annual)
• Empowered Ambition Youth Development Program for Young Men,
• STARS Mentoring Program
• Sims-Fayola Community Mentoring Program (starting soon)
• I Am A Fayola Man Summer Leadership Academy (starting soon)

For Educators:
• Hardwired by Nature: School/Program Design Through An Equity Lens Workshop
• Working With Boys of Color Workshop Series
• Sims-Fayola Equity Academy (new this year)

For Parents:
• Connecting With Your Sons workshop

I have witnessed and participated in many of these events personally and they are professionally conducted, informative and effective and I think it is very unfortunate that the internet allows anyone with a personal gripe or grudge to air their personal opinions without basis and free of fact-checking. As a board member for this organization, I share accountability and pledge to you that we are operating our organization and programs with fidelity and impact. Our books and programs are open and have been thoroughly scrutinized by all board members, funders and outside council. Last school year (2018-2019) we impacted 3,125 young men nationally, 375 young men in the Denver metro area, and provided workshops and coaching for 400 educators through our equity and working with boys of color workshops. I invite anyone with a concern about our product or impact to attend any of our events, all advertised on our website, and make your own judgements. I am proud to be associated with the Sims-Fayola Foundation, it's CEO, and the families and young men that we impact every day. I also invite anyone who knows of any way we as an organization can be more effective or provide more value to our community, to come and meet with us. We are very open to your suggestions, and eager to hear your recommendations and even criticisms; because for all of us here, it is about making a difference with our youth.

Feel free to learn more about our organization, as well as read reviews from workshop participants on our website at: https://www.sffoundation.org/services.html. I really hope you will join us at one of our events. Stay tuned to our website to learn when they are happening.

This organization touches hundreds of kids each year. I have personally witnessed the work of this organization and have watched young people develop and execute plans for their futures as a result of this organization's programming. I have marveled as year after year, as this organization attracts talented and accomplished professional adults, who come to volunteer their valuable time to work directly with the young people in this organization; along side of young people who have benefited from this program who come back to work with the youth who follow them.
I am very grateful for Ken and Jean Crowley who saw a need in our community, "rolled up their sleeves" and committed their lives to doing something about it. I wish them and the youth they serve continued success!

- Rich Lewis
President and CEO
RTL Networks, Inc.