MISSION
STATEMENT
We are committed to mentoring gang-involved and affiliated youth in Washington state to overcome the gang lifestyle and mindset by meeting them where they are at. In their pursuit to transform their lives in a positive direction, we support them in navigating social, cultural, interpersonal, and financial barriers.
OUR STORY
Begun in 2006, The Big Homie Program continues to successfully serve Pierce County youth and young adults to escape the influence and violence of gang life. We serve communities directly plus work with incarcerated youth. We operate both gang intervention and prevention programming as well as mentoring, recovery, and re-entry services for youth.
OUR STORY
Begun in 2006, The Big Homie Program continues to successfully serve Pierce County youth and young adults to escape the influence and violence of gang life. We serve communities directly plus work with incarcerated youth. We operate both gang intervention and prevention programming as well as mentoring, recovery, and re-entry services for youth.
we base our work on building meaningful peer-to-peer mentorship relationships. Our mentors are Big Homies, and our clients are our Little Homies. Our mentors have strong credibility as successful leaders who escaped gang life themselves, as lived experience individuals our Big Homies can form meaningful bonds with our clients in a way that is culturally relevant. For youth in communities, especially those in recovery and transition, these relationships grow into solutions and support systems for long-term avoidance of gang involvement.
TBHP serves as a ‘home base’ support group, a place to belong that reinforces growth and provides a way to avoid street life. We engage in group activities, promote entrepreneurship, and job stability, crisis, and family-oriented support.
The Big Homie Program was started by our founder Lawrence Stone in 2006 as part of the Eastside Salishan Lutheran Mission. Seeing the need to address gang involvement in Pierce County, Eastside Lutheran Mission’s Pastor Ron Vingec played a crucial role in supporting the organizations start. To support this direction, Lawrence obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Faith Seminary in 2007 with an emphasis in Christian Counseling. Mr. Stone also attended Tacoma Community College and Evergreen State College.
In June of 2008, the program was recognized by Washington State Mentors, naming Mr. Stone a Champion of Mentoring. In the same year, it was awarded by Bank of America with their Local Hero Award and received The Neighborhood Excellence Award. Since 2011, The Big Homie Program has been supported as a non-profit by the Russell Family Foundation and has also been supported by Dr. Charles Horne, Treasurer of Tacoma’s Ministerial Alliance. Dr. Horne is a member of St John’s Baptist Church.
H
O
M
I
E
OUR ORIGINS
The concepts that led to The Big Homie Program started with Mr. Stone’s recovery from an intense and violent gang life more than 20 years ago. As a young man, Mr. Stone was involved with the Eastside Bloods gang, which led him to deep introspection and the decision to change direction. Intense discussions with Big Homies inside of prison– changed him deeply and demonstrated the value of a Big Homie mentor relationship. The desire to ‘give back’ and help other young men recover from and perhaps completely avoid gang life became a focused and determined drive.
OUR ORIGINS
The concepts that led to The Big Homie Program started with Mr. Stone’s recovery from an intense and violent gang life more than 20 years ago. As a young man, Mr. Stone was involved with the Eastside Bloods gang, which led him to deep introspection and the decision to change direction. Intense discussions with Big Homies inside of prison– changed him deeply and demonstrated the value of a Big Homie mentor relationship. The desire to ‘give back’ and help other young men recover from and perhaps completely avoid gang life became a focused and determined drive.
OUR ORIGINS
The concepts that led to The Big Homie Program started with Mr. Stone’s recovery from an intense and violent gang life more than 20 years ago. As a young man, Mr. Stone was involved with the Eastside Bloods gang, which led him to deep introspection and the decision to change direction. Intense discussions with Big Homies inside of prison– changed him deeply and demonstrated the value of a Big Homie mentor relationship. The desire to ‘give back’ and help other young men recover from and perhaps completely avoid gang life became a focused and determined drive.
Our program leaders are often successful community leaders mentored by Mr. Stone, perhaps one of the best demonstrations of the concept.
The Big Homie Program is also tied into the music industry locally. Mr. Stone has been a rap artist for many years and using his industry connections we deliberately turn rap into a positive outlet and tool for recovery.
Our partnership with Mr. Texas Barbecue supports youth with job opportunities, this allows them stability as they continue to recover and gain stability in a positive direction. The opportunity also gives them training in entrepreneurship and responsibility.
Through a full spectrum of engagement, our program supports youth and young adults moving away from gang involvement, providing our community with mentorship, resources, and a group to call ‘home’. Our Homies join a vibrant and positive community with common interests, coming together for mutual support through mentorship, friendship, and group activities that include rap battles, gatherings in the park, sports, community events and more.
Equity Statement
Big Homie Ministries promotes the interests of Pierce County through direct action, making a difference in the lives of gang involved/affiliated youth and young adults in our most deprived communities. By facilitating one person at a time mentorship and counseling, our programs develop both a safer society and more productive and stable lifestyles for our youth; We provide a viable escape from the lure of gang life. By encouraging, and fostering accountability and leadership skills, we empower young people to find self-worth and success.
The Big Homie Program provides a path for youth that includes core personal developments that include caring for others regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. And by engaging in with families, businesses, churches, schools, and communities. We build reliable life skills that will serve our populations for a lifetime
EQUITY STATEMENT
Big Homie Ministries promotes the interests of Pierce County through direct action, making a difference in the lives of gang involved/affiliated youth and young adults in our most deprived communities. By facilitating one person at a time mentorship and counseling, our programs develop both a safer society and more productive and stable lifestyles for our youth; We provide a viable escape from the lure of gang life. By encouraging, and fostering accountability and leadership skills, we empower young people to find self-worth and success.
The Big Homie Program provides a path for youth that includes core personal developments that include caring for others regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. And by engaging in with families, businesses, churches, schools, and communities. We build reliable life skills that will serve our populations for a lifetime
our BELIEFS
RELATIONSHIP
And connection are the key ingredient to progress.
REFLECTION
Of observations and experiences, and, create meaning and promote learning.
LOVE
Is the greatest gift.
INTEGRITY
In every situation, always
ACCOUNTABILITY
is a key start to changing pathways and is a process.
THE BIG HOMIE PROGRAM TEAM
Lorraine Stone,MBA
Executive Director
Lawrence Stone, BA
Founder, Gang therapist, Volunteer
Board of Directors
Robert Critchfield
Attorney, Morton McGoldrick, PLLC
Darryl Crews
Chief Executive Officer, The January Group
Patrick Erwin
Director of Educator Pathways, Tacoma Public Schools
OUR PARTNERS
