About

OUR STORY

Growing up in a non-traditional household in the Midwest, our founder looked toward coaches and other mentors to help him when times were tough or needed an extra hand of support.  Coach Pete vowed to pay it forward by supporting community activities encouraging those on his teams to think bigger than their limitations and to persevere during challenging situations. During these years, he provided counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and more to fulfill that promise.  He still actively coaches in the 8-12U Cartersville football program leading a team to win a state title in 2010 and to numerous playoff games. He also founded the Bartow County Challenger League.  

Recipients who have benefited from his kindness, alongside friends, family, and the community, have asked, "how can I help," which has sparked the idea to officially form this organization. The words of a song by one of Coach Pete's favorite bands were used as an anthem many times in those previous conversations between coach and player, thus making the naming an easy task.

The Brother Let Me Be Your Shelter ("BLMBYS") community now includes young men and women that range in age from eight years old through college graduates.  The mission is not to just coach these kids on the field, but to inspire hope, respect for community and create a brotherhood.  A critical element is to always stay positive in our messaging and build on their self-worth, love, and contributions to their team, friends, family, and community.  These foundational principals have driven positive behavioral changes in some of the more challenged over the years and continue to be present today.

The types of programs and services that BLMBYS strives to provide include but are not limited to items such as financial assistance for college prep courses, support for college visits, tutoring, mentoring, and more.  Beneficiaries of our support (financial or otherwise) will only be expected to "pay it forward" by volunteering or participating in future programs that will empower other youth in their future endeavors.  It is our mission to work alongside other community organizations to drive scale and success.