Confronting Violence
​Through Sports, Mentoring, and Education

Hope is Born...
 
Brandon Jackson, a young man who inspired many of his classmates to personal and academic excellence, was gunned down in the streets of Altadena on February 12, 2011 (click for story). At Brandon's funeral there was a groundswell of commitment among his classmates and other community members to stop the cascading effects of violence in our community. Stepping Into the Light Outreach was formed to support students who choose life over a culture of death. 

Stepping Into the
​Light Outreach 

Stepping Into the Light Outreach was established by Pastor Debra Williams to encourage and equip students to make good choices and provide opportunities for them to live out those choices. 
  
3 main goals:
  1. Bring the community together around values that lead to unity and peace and witness to the power of Love.
  2. Bring about peace through education, understanding that education is a power tool in the effort to break the cycle of violence. Raising scholarship monies which help students with post high school education has been shown to increase hope and effect change.
  3. Empower mentors and mentor relationships that speak into the lives of young people and help point them to a hope-filled future.
 "All kids need a little help, a little hope,
 and somebody who believes in them."
Magic Johnson, sports icon
and one of several local business sponsors
of the Brandon Jackson Scholarship Program

Basketball Event 

Picture

The 1st Annual Brandon Jackson Scholarship Basketball Event was held in August, 2011 with the support of members of the Pasadena and Altadena community who chose to respond to this death with hope and not despair. To date the Shootout has:
  • Awarded approximately $120,000 in academic scholarships since 2011 to help meet the financial needs of 58 students from the Pasadena- Altadena community.
  • Rallied a community to create a network of resources to support and encourage young people.
  • Along with the Clergy Community Coalition established a partnership with area churches to empower the community, through Christ, to unite in a common work.
  • Provided a vision for reducing violence and creating a culture which provides young people additional opportunities for teamwork and unity.