By CELESTE M. HART
“I save myself working on saving children. A moment can change the rest of their lives,” said Brendan May, founder BFIT Big Dreams
May, a personal trainer, founded BFIT, a non-profit organization, in 2020, to address societal issues that hold back youth. The free Second Annual 5K, We Run Together, on April 1st, at Irwin Creek Greenway, 1520 Clanton Road, 12 p.m., Mays said, is an event to promote family and community unity and provide recourses for future success.
“Fitness is my thang and by me being a trainer, I realize youth needed physical development as well as mental and social. Too many of our children have no positive role male models, we need more,” said May.
May includes diverse activities such as, hiking, boxing, ice skating and boat rowing, to challenge youth, develop confidence and learn to fight for their dreams, not fight each other. Violence is a choice, he said.
Amber Hoff, program director and CMS educator, helps establish year-round youth experiences, including, summer camp, school break programs and educational activities. Financial literacy, reading proficiency, goal setting and social emotional learning round out the list of many activities. To set children’s dreams high, learning adventures included, Discovery Place, Charlotte IFLY, US Whitewater Center and McLaren, high-end auto sales.
“We include role-playing activities about bullying and gang violence to encourage positive decision-making that inspires positive behavior. We serve children that get put out of other camps, those on the verge of homelessness and those on the Autistic scale. We don’t turn any child away,” said May.
May’s ‘giving back to the community’ stems from personal trials and tribulations, he said he gave 14 years of his life to the NC government system via prison, started at age 16, charged as an adult for non-violent cases. A teacher told him he did not fit the mold for the high school he attended.
“Circumstances contributed to my prison time. I was the by-product of my environment. I’m saving myself working with these children. It’s fulfilling giving these kids the opportunities and experiences usually not available. I hope it leads to their dreams accomplished and they see beyond current limitations,” said May.
A mother commented on the BFIT Big Dreams web site:
Registration for Spring Break Camp, April 11th to 15th, at Progressive Church, 1609 Clanton Road, ends April 8th. cost, $75 before April 1st, after, $100. Enrollment for 2023 summer camp program, in July, begins May 1st. Contact May, at 704-458-8757, website, www.365BFIT.com or email, 365bfit@gmail.com. Vendor, sponsorships and donations encouraged.
Sponsors include the Right Moves For Youth and CMS Library, resource vendors committed, Alliance Health, Woodforest Bank, CPCC and Work Fitness.
May’s titles include, NASM certified fitness instructor, wellness coach, nutrition specialist and father of two sons.
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