D'Brickashaw & Kirsten visit local schools!

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D'Brickashaw reads his Book " Bricks Way Go Green" to elementary school students. The book highlights: a science project, recycling and team work.

Skills and Drills 2013 is a Huge Hit

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On April 23, 2013, under its Mentorship program, The D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation hosted a Skills and Drills conference at Hofstra University. The Skills and Drills conference is geared towards assisting young people to transition from high school seniors to college freshmen. “This change is not an easy one” says D’Brickashaw Ferguson”. It is with this understanding that the Foundation purposes to use the Skills and Drills conference to foster growth by peer to peer mentorship, team building exercises and sharing of experiences by seasoned professionals so as to inspire and encourage our youths.

The Fifth Annual D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation Awards Gala

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The Fifth Annual D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation Awards Gala is a TOUCHDOWN For Community’s “Difference Makers”

In a star-studded evening, filled with inspirational testimonies, four of New York and New Jersey’s most influential people received the highest honor and praise from the D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation. The 5th Annual Awards Gala was held at The Swan Club on Tuesday June 4, 2013, and featured dinner, dancing, and a live auction for fantastic prizes like Super Bowl tickets, luxury vacation stays, and autographed sports memorabilia.  All proceeds benefit the D’Brickashaw Ferguson foundation which carries the motto “Building Communities One Brick at a Time.” The foundation works to improve the life of students by awarding academic scholarships, and mentor type training programs for new high school graduates entering college. The Foundation also helps church to repair buildings and church owned properties, as well as supporting ministries like clothing and food banks.

Each year the D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation honors like minded individuals, who balance careers, family, and extracurricular activities, while selflessly giving back to their communities. The first award recipient was New York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez, who shares not only D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s passion for football, but also his desire to make a difference in the community. Mr. Sanchez is an active participant in a number of charitable organizations including the Fire Department of New York, youth groups, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. After the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, Mr. Sanchez was among the first responders to the Jersey Shore touring the areas affected by the term and helping citizens in need.

Another one of the honorees was also a ‘first responder’ to Hurricane Sandy, the Rev. Regena Thomas pastor of Allen AME Church in Atlantic City. Rev. Thomas’ church was damaged by the storm and many of her members were left without homes. Rev. Thomas used her influences as the former Secretary of State to bring resources to her community. Rev. Thomas is also one of the leading political consultants for the Democratic National Committee and can often be found on the frontlines of social justice issues.

The D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation also recognized Phil Castaldo, owner of two 7-Eleven franchises in Commack, NY.  Mr. Castaldo has worked to support the Marines Toys For Tots Campaign, the Muscular Distrophy Association, and Boy Scout Troop 3, the oldest Boy Scout troop in the state of New York. Mr. Castaldo also serves as an usher in his church St. Thomas More in Hauppauge.

In an effort to create a legacy of ‘difference makers,’ the D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation presented the 2013 Student Inspiration Award to Daniel Clayton. Mr. Clayton will attend University of Florida in the fall and, throughout his life he has excelled in the classroom and the community. Mr. Clayton graduated Salutatorian with a GPA of 98.69. He was on the honor roll throughout high school, and as a member of the National Honor Society, and the Science, Math, Business and Marketing, and Spanish Honor Societies as well. In addition to excelling in academics, Mr. Clayton is also a student athlete having competed in track and field, cross country, and with the swim team.  Mr. Clayton is also a gifted musician performing with the Jazz Band and the Select Strings Orchestra. Mr. Clayton has also been a student leader in the Uniondale community where he grew up. He is very active in the DECA club, PTSA, Student Council, Key Club, to name a few. He has also participated in leadership conferences with Jack and Jill of America and Junior National Youth Leader’s Conference. He is also a dedicated Boy Scout, having recently obtained the rank of Eagle Scout.  Additionally Mr. Clayton is active in his church, Rehoboth Open Bible Church, and has a very close, loving relationship with his supportive family.

All of the honorees epitomize the mission and goals of the D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation. Your generous support of the foundation enhances our ability to extend to deserving students and communities the best opportunities to improve and grow stronger.

 

5th Annual DFF Dinner Gala & Auction

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The D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation Cordially Invites you to the Fifth Annual Building Communities One Brick at a Time Dinner Gala & Auction

Tuesday June 4, 2013
The Swan Club
Shore Road, Glenwood Landing, NY 11547
Cocktails 6:00 PM        Followed by Dinner & Show

Please RSVP by May 20, 2013

The tax-deductible portion of your ticket is $75

 

Our 2013 Honorees:
Mr. Mark Sanchez: NY Jets Quarterback
Rev. Regena Thomas: Former Secretary of State of New Jersey
Mr. Philip Castaldo: UFOLI President

 

Super Bowl Sponsor $5000 Full table
Full table – 10 seats
Outside Back Cover Banner Recognition
Table Top acknowledgement

Pro Bowl Sponsor $3500
Full table – 10 seats
Inside Back Cover Banner Recognition

AFC Sponsor $2000
Full table – 10 Seats
Full page ad
Banner recognition

Playoff Sponsor$1600
Full table – 10 seats
Half page ad

Home Game Sponsor $750
4 Seats
Half page ad

Preseason Sponsor $500
Two seats
Half page ad

Download Full Ticket Prices Here

If you can’t join us please consider placing a Journal ad in honor of our award recipients:
Full page $500                                    Half page $250                       Business card $75

The Journal is 8-1/2×11, but image size is 8×10-1/2 (no bleeds). Half page ads are horizontal only and should be 8×4-¾. All artwork may be emailed to dorothycastaldo@gmail.com or included with your reservation

For more information or to order tickets email us at dbrickfnd@comcast.net

Skills and Drills Participants Return to Homecoming Conference Designed to De-Mystify College Life

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Several dozen college freshmen who had previously attended The D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation’s Skills and Drills Conference as high school seniors, returned to attend the Foundation’s annual  Homecoming Youth Conference. The event was held on January 8, 2013, on the campus of Hofstra University. The homecoming conference provided them an opportunity to discuss the ups and downs of their first semester experience. The topics of discussion included: biggest surprises, successes and failures, and the pros and cons of college life.


Overall, the college students liked their experience; however, they were surprised by the amount of responsibility and the level of maturity required, to be successful. They noted that at times they had too much time on your hands, and it was important to be able to manage your time wisely. The college students noted that the faculty can have a sense of humor; however, it was not all fun and games. Students are held accountable for their actions and you no longer have the safety net of parents, teachers, counselors, and high school administrators.  The college students also noted being surprised by the level of diversity on campus and having to live with strangers. They also expressed surprise about the cost of textbooks and noted that the scholarship from the D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation helped offset these expenses.


Then the conversations deepened. The students revealed their successes and failures in their first semester college experience. Many discussed actually failing classes for the first time ever, and what that was like. Others discussed failing to have good study habits and getting lost on the giant college campus (everything is not in one building anymore). For the most part, the students were able to adjust and noted that being involved in clubs and extra curricula activities helped because they were able to make friends with others who shared their interests and who were experiencing some of the same challenges.


Finally, the “D’Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation Homecoming Youth Conference” gave the college students an opportunity to discuss what aspects of the “Skills & Drills” mentoring program helped them the most. The students really benefitted from time management skills and how to focus and study assignments. They also learned to adapt their learning styles, network, and how to effectively use college resources. In reflecting on their experiences, they wished they had more information on other scholarships, had a better understanding of core curriculum, and had a tutorial on the importance of meeting with an advisor and how to select classes. This discussion not only helped the students, it also helped the Foundation’s organizers adapt their curriculum for future “Skills & Drills” programs.

View more photos from the event here:

Homecoming Conference - De-Mystify College Life


In fact, the Foundation will host another program April 23, 2013 whereby information and suggestions derived from this conference will be applied to the “Skills & Drills program.


As we continue to build the Mentorship Program, your support as a volunteer is always appreciated and welcomed.

For more information please visit us at:

http://www.dbrickashawfergusonfoundation.org,which describes our mentoring program and has several videos on past events.

Ferguson gives back with children’s book

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By KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN  kimberley.martin@newsday.com

D’Brickashaw Ferguson sat at a table inside the employee break room, surrounded by the handful of people who had helped him transfer his ideas onto paper.

On the second floor of a Barnes & Noble in Carle Place, just five days before he reports to training camp in Cortland, the Jets’ left tackle spoke of his latest effort to give back to his Long Islandcommunity: a children’s book.

At a book launch Saturday morning, Ferguson introduced “GO GREEN!,” the first installment in his “Brick’s Way” series, which aims to “entertain children while inspiring them to make a difference in their community.”

“We wanted to put out a message we could be proud of,” said theFreeport native, who was joined by his wife, Kirsten, his mother, Rhunette, and Mascot Books co-founder and CEO Naren Aryal.

Ferguson took his post behind a lectern and began reading “GO GREEN!” aloud to dozens of children and their parents. They had all come to see their hometown hero, and in turn, Ferguson took his time signing every book, football and jersey after the reading.

Read the full article here Watch Newsday’s video here View photos from the event here