Brendan Sullivan, Executive Director of Headfirst is an AMYLA supporter. Read on to learn more about what makes him an AMYLA STAR!

What is Headfirst Camps?- We run camp programs in the DC area for kids—these include sports programs, day camp programs, science camps, magic camps, and a significant part of our programming is dedicated to baseball camps.  Headfirst focuses on fun experiences for kids that include a leadership development component.  We are headquartered here in DC and started in 1998.  Go to http://playheadfirst.com for more information.

What involvement have you had with AMYLA to date?- I’ve known AMYLA’s Executive Director, Nigel, since he was 10.  We met when I was coaching at Boys and Girls club.  Nigel was at the club as part of an afterschool summer program. A few years ago, I ran into him on the street after trying to locate him for several years, and he told me about AMYLA.  Headfirst has donated office furniture to the organization. 

What makes AMYLA unique?- Nigel battled through things as a youth and is now spending his time and energy helping kids who are just like he was, in his same city.  There are many smoke and mirror organizations in DC--they want to do great things to turn around all of these cultural issues, but I feel like Nigel has focused on doing small things in great ways, focusing on having a serious impact on individuals.  The impacts are very tangible.

Why should someone become involved with AMYLA?- Because AMYLA is about picking out individuals and having an impact that is built on relationships—not big events that cause a lot of noise, instead AMYLA’s focus is narrower, but digs deeper.  The integrity of the program is really important to him, looking for people who have serious time and committment, that people getting involved feel like they’re making a difference, not only making one in life of student and also in their own life.  Now that I have more time, this is the type of organization I would want to get involved with.

What are some of the challenges facing the youth that AMYLA targets?- A lot of kids don’t have reliable role models in their life, that’s why it’s so important to AMYLA that the mentors are good—so that the kids aren’t disappointed. Kids need reliable role models and adults they can trust, and if they don’t they’re going to turn into adults that aren’t trustworthy.  Nigel and his colleagues don’t pretend they’re going to stop that cycle right away, but they do believe they can make an impact on individual kids and families and that ‘s what’s exciting about the work that AMYLA does.