Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc.
Raising the next generation of leaders in Haiti
Mission
To serve the children of Haiti by sustaining a safe and nurturing Children’s Home rooted in the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, while developing a sense of social responsibility, community involvement, and unconditional love.
Ruling year
2010
President
Leonard Gengel
Co Principal Officer
Cherylann Gengel
Main address
66 Pullman Street
Worcester, MA 01606 USA
EIN
27-1857525
NTEE code
International Relief (Q33)
Children's and Youth Services (P30)
Human Service Organizations (P20)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Be Like Brit's vision is to raise the next generation of leaders in Haiti, and we are doing so by providing the children with everyday essentials, and a quality, hands-on educational experience. By providing our 66 children with everything they need to lead healthy lives as well as providing them with a quality education, it is our hope that they will grow to help their country of Haiti. Through our Britsionary program, not only are we providing an opportunity for volunteers to travel to Haiti to learn about the culture, but at the same time we are building homes for our neighbors in Grand Goave Haiti who are still living in temporary shelters. When possible, we also distribute 1,000 gallons of clean water to our neighbors each day.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Brit's Home
From their basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, to their education and athletic needs, to their medical, dental and hygienic needs, the children living at Brit's Home are provided everything they need to grow, learn, and thrive. The building in which they live is secure, earthquake proof, and equipped with the most advanced technologies on the island of Haiti. They are given water that is filtered through their nanotechnology water filtration system. They have electricity and solar technology which is backed up by generators, and have a satellite broadband internet system, therefore seldom losing touch with the United States.
The children attend English language classes, laptop training, music (including piano, guitar and chorus), and sports activities. In addition, they are able to learn about hygiene, health, teamwork, HIV/AIDS prevention, community responsibility (recycling, composting), and more!
Also on-site at Brit's Home is Brit's Academy, a home-based school program for the children where they are taught through hands-on methodology, and encouraged to explore and learn through experimentation and the use of manipulatives.
Haiti Community Outreach
Be Like Brit also works hard to maintain a great relationship with the members of the community in Grand Goâve, who live outside of the Brit's Home property.
When possible, Be Like Brit offers up to 1,000 gallons per day of their filtered water to the community. The well on-site at Brit's Home pumps water through a nanotechnology water filtration system, and then into two, 1,000 gallon tanks on the roof of the home for use inside the orphanage. There are also two 500 gallon tanks behind the security wall which is designated for use by the community, when possible.
The international groups called "Britsionarys" who are hosted by Be Like Brit, are volunteers, much like missionaries, who travel to Haiti to help out at Brit's Home and also build homes for community members in need. Approximately 20-25 homes are built by Britsionarys each year, and provide permanent living structures for families who were preciously displaced or living in unsafe environments. These structures are reinforced to be resistant to hurricane winds, designed to avoid being flooded during tropical weather.
Be Like Brit employs 100 people from the community who otherwise would have no income. This includes full-time and part-time staff, as well as child care workers, social workers, teachers, and all operations and construction staff. These employees are also fed 1-2 meals during the times they are working at Brit's Home.
Britsionary Program
Volunteer groups from across North America called "Britsionarys," travel to Brit's Home in Haiti several times throughout the year. These groups help to support the children at Brit's Home, as well as work on projects for the community outside of the orphanage. Britsionary groups build 20-25 homes per year for families who are living in Haiti who otherwise are living in tents or other temporary shelters. Britsionary groups are also accompanied by volunteer medical professionals who travel to Haiti to care for the children living at Brit's Home. These medical professionals are also able to work in the public medical clinic caring for members of the community outside of Brit's Home.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Telegram & Gazette "Best of Central MA" | Best Fundraising Event 2018
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people no longer living in unsafe or substandard housing as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Britsionary Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of individuals who live in new homes we built in the year specified. *Less homes built in 2019 due to unrest. No homes built in 2020 or 2021due to COVID & political unrest.
Number of people no longer living in unaffordable, overcrowded housing as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Britsionary Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of individuals who live in new homes we built in the year specified. *Less homes built in 2019 due to unrest. No homes built in 2020 or 2021due to COVID & political unrest.
Number of people in the area with access to affordable housing as a result of the nonprofit's efforts
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Britsionary Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Number of individuals who live in new homes we built in the year specified. *Less homes built in 2019 due to unrest. No homes built in 2020 or 2021due to COVID & political unrest.
Number children performing average or above average academically
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Since living at Brit's Home, our 66 children; 33 girls and 33 boys, attend school regularly and are excelling in their studies! This is measured by test scores and quarterly report cards.
Number of youth who identify, manage, and appropriately express emotions and behaviors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home have regular access to a social worker and psychologist who work with them to regulate their emotions and focus on positive behaviors.
Number of youth who consider the implications of their actions on others, their community, and the environment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home regularly participate in community-based activities, and are socially aware of their neighbors and community members.
Number of youth who model positive behaviors for peers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home are consistently encouraged to become their best selves, and act in positive ways. The older children play a key role in modeling positive behaviors.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed social skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, conflict resolution)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home have regular access to a social worker and psychologist who work with them to encourage positive interpersonal communication and conflict resolution techniques.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed skills and attitudes to make physical activity a habit
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home attend regular sports-themed classes, and have a full-time Activities Director/Coach who focuses on teaching the children about physical activity and health.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed positive values
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home work with teachers, caregivers, a social worker, and a psychologist daily, and have developed positive values through learning activities and group discussions.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed positive relationships
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home have demonstrated numerous positive relationships over the year, specifically with their peer, caregivers, teachers, siblings, and community members.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed knowledge about occupations
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home have learned about occupations throughout classes and educational activities, and have voiced the desire to become: teachers, pilots, doctors, engineers, etc.
Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed a strong sense of self
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The children living at Brit's Home have regular access to a social worker and psychologist who work with them to promote positive outlooks, and encourage them to have a strong sense of self.
Number of children who have access to healthcare
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Since living at Brit's Home, our 66 children have consistent access to healthcare; vaccinations, well-child checks, dental care, daily vitamin intake, nutrition checks, etc.
Number of children and youth who have received access to stable housing
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The 66 children; 33 girls and 33 boys, living at Brit's Home now have access to a stable and consistent home environment, filled with love, laughter, learning activities, healthcare, and more!
Number of children who have access to education
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Brit's Home
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Since living at Brit's Home, our 66 children; 33 girls and 33 boys, attend school regularly. Before living at Brit's Home, most our children were unable to attend school at all.
Number of jobs created and maintained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Haiti Community Outreach
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Since the beginning phases of construction of Brit's Home, Be Like Brit has been one of the largest employers in Grand Goâve, Haiti. With 100+ employees; caregivers, teachers, laborers, etc.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our organization's primary objective is clear: To bring up the next generation of leaders in Haiti. To instill in our children a sense of social responsibility, social awareness, a strong faith, tolerance of diversity, humanity, and reciprocity.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We provide our children with the best education available to them in the Grand Goave community in which we serve. We ensure that our children receive the best in terms of medical care and nutrition so that they can grow and develop to their greatest potential. We supplement their formal education with after-school enrichment on site, which includes a more holistic and diverse curriculum to develop their creative and critical thinking minds. We offer them laptop training, English language classes, dance, art, play, love, and more. Our children live in an environment free from abuse and ridicule, and are constantly reminded that they are loved and that they have within them the ability to do great things.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our capabilities come from our talented caregiver personnel who participate in quarterly professional development training and workshops each year, delivered by accomplished academics who serve on our Board. Our capabilities are supported by an expansive network of qualified volunteer professionals who come to Be Like Brit and to Haiti through our Britsionary program. Whether they are there for one-week stays or long-term commitments, these volunteers bring with them specific projects and plans to meet the objectives in our Mission. Our capabilities come from our relationship with universities in the States, including Regis College, Becker, Tulane University, and more. Be Like Brit also maintains a partnership with UMASS Medical School who regularly sends Medical Fellows to the Orpahange to assist with our Medical needs. By bringing a constant stream of professionals and those with relevant skill sets, we are building on the capacity of our own local staff, and by extension delivering a quality of education and understanding to our children far outside the normal standards of Haiti.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our greatest challenge at present is sustainable energy sources. Electricity is infrequent and diesel generators are expensive and environmentally unfriendly ways in which to keep our facility up and running. Our goal of sustainability is hindered by this, and once we are able to secure this, we know that the funds made available by the solar powered savings will allow us to expand the scope of our services. Specifically, we hope to implement a multi-phase plan for making our clinic available to the public, serving far more than our own children, employees, and their families. We are currently in the process of installing a water cistern for the collection of rain water which will help us to irrigate the crops of fruits and vegetables we have planted on site that help to feed our children and our staff on a regular basis.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Be Like Brit serves the children of Haiti with outreach and a home for 66 children. These growing children play a major role in everyday choices for their future and growth.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
Based on our growing population we received feedback about a need for additional programming for our young adults. It was with this feedback that we created our new Transition Program to aid and support our teens and young adults in their journey forward.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 09/12/2022
Cherylann Gengel
Be Like Brit
Term: 2010 - 2024
Leonard Gengel
The Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc
Term: 2010 - 2024
Leonard Gengel
Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc.
Christine Steinwand
Child Development Specialist, Retired
Bernard Gengel
Vice President, Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Peter J McDonald
Headmaster, Eagle Hill School
Susan Wornick
Emmy Award Winning Anchor & Reporter, Retired
Fr. John Madden
Pastor, St. John's Church, Worcester MA
Eileen Terry
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Cherylann Gengel
Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc.
Richard Gengel
SLED Account Executive, Rapid7
Michael Rezuke
KPMG LLP, Retired
Mark Leff
Senior Vice President of Construction Lending, Salem Five Bank
Rae Stone
Entrepreneur
Organizational demographics
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