Hear Me Out (HMO)
The Sharieff foundation is dedicated to supporting the work of Brother Tobias Tubbs, founder of Hear Me Out (HMO), a critical non-profit initiative based in Los Angeles focused on nurturing and educating reentry youth in cyberspace technology in partnership with USC Viterbi School of Engineering K-12 Stem Center.
What does HMO aim to do?
HMO’s initial 28 week program provides re-entry participants with access to HMO’s center/house and its amenities (meals, snacks, laundry, bathrooms, lounge areas, etc.) as many of these youth are unhoused or in unsafe home environments. The center/house is staffed by team members who are trained and have also successfully navigated some of the same challenges faced by these youth. HMO will provide these young men and women with classes on management, nutrition and permaculture lessons and experiences, recreational sports, basic life coaching, and an overall safe space.
HMO’s Cyber Initiative will provide 12 of their youth participants with 12 weeks of direct behavioral development, 8 weeks of E-Sports/Gaming Certification training through a partnership with Metro ESports, and 8 weeks of Cyber Security and Data Analysis Certification training through USC Viterbi School of Engineering K12 STEM program.
HMO's CYBER Initiative has also secured a relationship with Target Corporation, which has committed to potentially hiring qualified program participants upon completion of the CYBER Initiative.
HMO has been awarded a $787,655 grant from the city of Los Angeles for the running of this program, and the Sharieff Foundation recently provided HMO with a one-time grant of $20k in order to secure a location.
The Sharieff Foundation is committed to exploring ways to provide on-going support to HMO in the form of scholarships. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative and how you can help, please reach out to us.