EvolV

The Evolv Brotherhood program was developed to combat gang violence in Tampa communities. Evolv implements concepts of comradeship and unity to at-risk young men in poverty-stricken communities. Young men typically join gangs as an effort to feel a sense of belonging and purpose in our society where young people struggle to fit in and feel significant.

By retaining the most attractive concepts of gangs; belonging, family, and purpose, Evolve is able to transform something that has plagued our society into something that will save it. The power of belonging to a brotherhood is what drives gangs, and this characteristic makes them very popular and unfortunately, very effective.

Gangs have been around for centuries and have always been successful at establishing collective values across a large group. It’s a proven system that has been right under our noses. In fact, there has been a dramatic increase in gangs in America (from 800,000 to 1.4 million) in only a few years.

Because the “gang structure” works, Evolv uses a similar structure to gangs, but turns the negative into positive by implementing proven life skills to develop future leaders.

Evolv teaches boys the power of loving one another and encourages them to express that same love for all people. We live in a society that displays so much hate and Evolve believes it’s imperative to teach love early and often. Evolv intentionally targets young males, ages 6-10, in an effort to reach them while they’re most impressionable.

Evolve Brotherhood is passionate about bringing together Tampa’s youth to form healthy life-long relationships before neighborhood rivalries can influence them to “hate each other from across the street.”