ABOUT US
BECHLEM
A brighter tomorrow for our kids
The mission of Bechlem is to help underprivileged children by providing them with a reliable mentoring and a learning program that will shape their future.
Bechlem, meaning “Bethlehem” in Latin translates, to “House of Bread.” This name encompasses the primary values the organization upholds and symbolizes the way Bechlem feeds its children with love through art, which fosters confidence and healing while empowering them to make good choices through teaching the following principles:
- Confidence: Bechlem wants to instill confidence and a sense of self- respect and self-expression in all their students.
- Achievement: The goal of Bechlem is to show encouragement and hope through art that results in successful and positive progress in their lives.
- Motivation: Bechlem seeks to inspire young people to want to strive for positive changes regardless of their current environmental setbacks.
- Leadership Skills: Children that are involved in a program that seeks to help with adversity are heavily influenced by their experiences. Bechlem will inspire them to become successful and equipped leaders of the future.
Bechlem is a nonprofit organization that has been operating since 2015 for underprivileged children of Los Angeles, California. It is an after-school program that provides various art courses to help children overcome hardships and provides a positive platform for them to fight adversity and take control of their lives.
Bechlem has one primary program that has a 12 week duration and occurs three times a year, taking place twice a week from 3-6 pm.
March-May June-August September-December
At the end of each program there is a recital where children perform on stage and in front of an audience to showcase everything they learned. Such event has been the main indicator to showcase their growth in the program.
Start-up Summary
Bechlem was established in 2015 by Anjeza Angie Gega and has been operational for 4 years. Through the years Bechlem has partnered with several companies: Frida Kahlo Theater where they rented a low cost space, Alexandria’s House, Good Shepherd Center, and recently Boys and Girls Club in East LA.
- As Howard Gardner writes in his book, The Unschooled Mind: As institutions, schools have become increasingly anachronistic, while art facilities have retained the potential to engage students, to teach them, to stimulate their understanding, and, most important, to help them assume responsibility for their own future learning." This is the idea behind an edutainment facility. Its purpose is to stimulate children so that they can transition from being taught or entertained (passive) to learning through play (active).
- Afterschool programs can boost academic performance, reduce risky behavior, promote physical health, and provide a safe, structured environment for children of working parents.
Because of such importance, Bechlem strives to expand and reach to more children brining a difference in the community. Bechlem has a number of market focuses that are key to the program success. Children who are overcoming stressor in their lives, such as poverty. discrimination, abusive situation, health issues, unstable homes, and academic lives, are the primary marketing focus of Bechlem. - Art programs foster positive changes through goal setting, self discipline, skill development and friendship.
- Bechlem is a direct response to the number of young children that are in need of additional support beyond what they receive at home and through the public school system offering at-risk youth opportunities to grow in a safe environment.
- The goal of the program is to identify and reach out to students between the ages of 5 to 12 in the Los Angeles area that may be suffering from severe adverse conditions such as poverty, abuse, neglect, or homelessness.
- Bechlem finds its children through their partnerships or school day events. After a simple application is filled out then a more in depth interview is conducted with a family authorized adult to configure if the child need matches our program. It is an inclusive program open to any gender, ethnicity. and financial background.
- In 2017, a governmental budget proposal attempted to justify the proposed elimination of Community Learning Centers by claiming that a lack of evidence exists that links the program to increased student achievement. As of today such bill has not been passed, however a risk mentality still exists among the leaders of the government.
Financially, Bechlem has been supported by private donors. We are seeking financial support to provide legal assistance and administrative personnel towards getting grants and sponsorships from government and bigger companies.
Education
Underprivileged kids with a lack of education have less opportunities of succeeding in life. We facilitate and provide means for them to pursue education.
Poverty
We collect funds, food, school supplies, and clothing to be distributed to children in need- Starting with kids in our organization and eventually expanding nationally and internationally.
Trauma
We provide counseling sessions and empowerment lessons through professional psychologists and artistic classes.
WHAT WE DO
Together, we can empower the next generation of artists, leaders, and dreamers.
