Helping Underserved Kids See Thier Full Potential
Donation protected
Soldiers who see combat overseas are not the only people who experience trauma and PTSD after being exposed to large-scale events. Kids in neighborhoods where crime, poverty, drugs, and violence are rampant also suffer from this disorder. However, these kids don’t have the same access to crisis lines or therapy as soldiers.
As a former victim of similar circumstances, Charlie McCoy Oyekwe has dedicated his career to helping vulnerable and underserved kids find their way through trauma. Charlie is an outspoken advocate for PTSD and mental health awareness who uses his non-profit organization, The Grooming Alchemist, to empower and inspire young men. His target is at-risk youth and former high-control group members, aka cult survivors.
As a child, Charlie grew up in the rough neighborhood of Chisholm Creek on the Northside of Oklahoma City in the ‘90s. He was exposed to gang violence, drugs, and even death from an early age. Charlie’s home life was also chaotic; as a single parent, his mom worked long hours to support their family.
Later, perhaps to redirect her son’s path, she joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses, inadvertently exposing Charlie to the cult-like indoctrination of the church. Growing up in an environment that fostered anger, aggression, and violence everywhere he looked and a church that almost stripped away his identity affected Charlie’s mental health.
However, despite encountering multiple challenges, Charlie managed to graduate from school. Afterward, he worked his way to New York City, where he volunteered at Watchtower Headquarters in his mid-20s. Charlie was later recruited to work at L’Oreal and Kiehl’s, where he worked as their master barber for six years. That period equipped Charlie with the skills he needed to become a successful entrepreneur, and he went on to establish two successful barbershops in Manhattan.
After internalizing trauma for so long, Charlie had to go to therapy to unpack his history. He also picked up yoga and meditation, found like-minded mentors, and started rebuilding his mind. Charlie understands that while his experiences are specific to him, they are not unique. On the contrary, there are kids all over America caught up in the same unending and relentless war, causing trauma that’s as pervasive as it is invisible. That’s why Charlie founded his non-profit, to give back and show it’s possible to get out and thrive.
The Grooming Alchemist provides mentorship and support for at-risk youth and adults in New York, starting with high schools in the Bronx. Led by Charlie, the foundation exists to uplift and enrich the lives of at-risk kids with mental and emotional support and provide life-building opportunities.
“We provide a holistic approach to solving the lack of focus on the root causes of being an at-risk youth,” says Charlie. The foundation helps young men deal with the complex and stressful life experiences with the justice system, foster care, and others like homelessness and food insecurity.
The Grooming Alchemist currently runs activation events in New York’s District 9 in the South Bronx, meeting with middle school and high school students. The team meets with 10–20 students per activation, cuts their hair, and talks to them about their dreams for the future. TGA’s goal for 2021-22 was to hold 2-4 activation events, meeting with over 100 District 9 students and encouraging them to pursue their dreams with intention and drive. We were able to achieve this goal with the support of New Venture Academy, Artisan Barber and Children's Aid.
Here is how your [gift or support] will impactful:
$150+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for one+ middle school kids in district 9].
$1500+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for ten+ middle school kids in district 9].
$3000+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for twenty+ middle school kids in district 9].].
Our non-profit will send out a donation letter during tax season to document your gift. Additionally Donors can arrange to be on-site during a program to witness the joy and satisfaction on the kids faces after their haircuts and the comradery among the students is admirable.
Spread the Word
In addition to making a monetary contribution to this campaign, you can show your support for TGA by sharing a link to the campaign with all of your friends and family. Go ahead and post about Artisan Barber and Grooming Alchemist on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media platforms you use, and subscribe to our You Tube channel, so we can spread awareness. The more people are aware of what is going on and what they can do to help during this pivotal moment, the smoother the next few months will go for Artisan Barber.
Thank you for all your support, both monetary and non-monetary. I appreciate you taking the time to read about our initiative.
As a former victim of similar circumstances, Charlie McCoy Oyekwe has dedicated his career to helping vulnerable and underserved kids find their way through trauma. Charlie is an outspoken advocate for PTSD and mental health awareness who uses his non-profit organization, The Grooming Alchemist, to empower and inspire young men. His target is at-risk youth and former high-control group members, aka cult survivors.
As a child, Charlie grew up in the rough neighborhood of Chisholm Creek on the Northside of Oklahoma City in the ‘90s. He was exposed to gang violence, drugs, and even death from an early age. Charlie’s home life was also chaotic; as a single parent, his mom worked long hours to support their family.
Later, perhaps to redirect her son’s path, she joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses, inadvertently exposing Charlie to the cult-like indoctrination of the church. Growing up in an environment that fostered anger, aggression, and violence everywhere he looked and a church that almost stripped away his identity affected Charlie’s mental health.
However, despite encountering multiple challenges, Charlie managed to graduate from school. Afterward, he worked his way to New York City, where he volunteered at Watchtower Headquarters in his mid-20s. Charlie was later recruited to work at L’Oreal and Kiehl’s, where he worked as their master barber for six years. That period equipped Charlie with the skills he needed to become a successful entrepreneur, and he went on to establish two successful barbershops in Manhattan.
After internalizing trauma for so long, Charlie had to go to therapy to unpack his history. He also picked up yoga and meditation, found like-minded mentors, and started rebuilding his mind. Charlie understands that while his experiences are specific to him, they are not unique. On the contrary, there are kids all over America caught up in the same unending and relentless war, causing trauma that’s as pervasive as it is invisible. That’s why Charlie founded his non-profit, to give back and show it’s possible to get out and thrive.
The Grooming Alchemist provides mentorship and support for at-risk youth and adults in New York, starting with high schools in the Bronx. Led by Charlie, the foundation exists to uplift and enrich the lives of at-risk kids with mental and emotional support and provide life-building opportunities.
“We provide a holistic approach to solving the lack of focus on the root causes of being an at-risk youth,” says Charlie. The foundation helps young men deal with the complex and stressful life experiences with the justice system, foster care, and others like homelessness and food insecurity.
The Grooming Alchemist currently runs activation events in New York’s District 9 in the South Bronx, meeting with middle school and high school students. The team meets with 10–20 students per activation, cuts their hair, and talks to them about their dreams for the future. TGA’s goal for 2021-22 was to hold 2-4 activation events, meeting with over 100 District 9 students and encouraging them to pursue their dreams with intention and drive. We were able to achieve this goal with the support of New Venture Academy, Artisan Barber and Children's Aid.
Here is how your [gift or support] will impactful:
$150+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for one+ middle school kids in district 9].
$1500+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for ten+ middle school kids in district 9].
$3000+ – [Will help us cover the cost of monthly mentor ship, haircuts and products for twenty+ middle school kids in district 9].].
Our non-profit will send out a donation letter during tax season to document your gift. Additionally Donors can arrange to be on-site during a program to witness the joy and satisfaction on the kids faces after their haircuts and the comradery among the students is admirable.
Spread the Word
In addition to making a monetary contribution to this campaign, you can show your support for TGA by sharing a link to the campaign with all of your friends and family. Go ahead and post about Artisan Barber and Grooming Alchemist on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and any other social media platforms you use, and subscribe to our You Tube channel, so we can spread awareness. The more people are aware of what is going on and what they can do to help during this pivotal moment, the smoother the next few months will go for Artisan Barber.
Thank you for all your support, both monetary and non-monetary. I appreciate you taking the time to read about our initiative.
Fundraising team (2)
Charles McCoy
Organizer
Raised $100 from 1 donation
New York, NY
Nadiri Dorsey
Team member
