We Are Truly Grateful
A big thank you is extended to our major program sponsors for 2021-2022. This year's expansion would not have been possible without you!
BSI Members Take Train To Visit NC Museum Of Art
On a beautiful autumn afternoon in November, high school members hopped on an Amtrak train and traveled to Raleigh to stroll through the NC Museum of Art. Students were mesmerized by the exhibits from around the globe.
In The News
BSI Honors First Responders Through Baking
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
BSI members spent a Saturday morning in October making fresh baked cookies to deliver to firefighters, police officers and emergency room workers. This was a small token of appreciation for the services these men and women tirelessly give to the community.
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
As a part of their monthly outreach, BSI members made homemade chili, soup and cornbread which they distributed to homeless citizens throughout Greensboro.
BSI Members Travel to Venice, Italy (Virtually)
BSI Members Prepare Hot Meals For Homeless Citizens
BSI Members Travel to Venice, Italy (Virtually)
As a part of our quarterly celebration of different cultures, BSI members participated in a private, live, virtual tour of Venice, Italy. Following our adventures throgh the bustling streets of Venice, students enjoyed a robust authentic Italian meal.
BSI Members Are Life Changers And Life Savers
BSI Members Are Life Changers And Life Savers
BSI Members Travel to Venice, Italy (Virtually)
Heartsavers USA trained BSI members with the basics for the most common first aid emergencies, including how to recognize them, how to call for help, and how to perform lifesaving skills.
BSI-Lynchburg? It's a Possibility
BSI Members Are Life Changers And Life Savers
BSI-Lynchburg? It's a Possibility
On August 21, several members of our youth ambassadors went to Lynchburg, Va to begin our expansion research. We were honored to have been participants in the Heroes in Training Conference hosted by Diamond Hill Baptist Church.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
BSI Members Are Life Changers And Life Savers
BSI-Lynchburg? It's a Possibility
Adding over 30 new members requires careful planning and lots of fun! In October, new and old members spent a day of team building at Kersey Valley in Archdale, NC. From participating in a high ropes course to running through the forest in a competitive game of laser tag, these young men enjoyed their day of getting acclimated with their blended family.
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, artist Hubert Jones, worked with BSI members on perfecting their painting techniques as they created their original sunset designs.
More Members. More Food. More Hands.
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
Local Artist Teaches Canvas Painting Workshop
High school students kicked off the school year by preparing lunch for the entire BSI family. Members prepared tacos with 2 types of salsa made from the vegetables harvested from their garden boxes.
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
High Profile Corporate Executives Zoom In For Saturday Meetings
Our partnership with the local office of Nasdaq, has provided us with access to successful corporate executives from across the country. Last month we had successful entrepreneur and President and CEO of Atlantic Life, Roosevelt Giles, speak on his humble begins to his rise up the corporate ladder. In February students were able to interact with co-founder of Starbucks, Dave Olsen.
WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOUR HELP
Shopping Helps Deliver Smiles!
Your Amazon purchases can bring a smile to our organization through their Amazon Smile program.
It's simple. Add our nonprofit to your prime shopping account and every purchase you make, 0.5% is donated to our organization!
Click on the button below to learn more !
Meet The Founder
Evainna W. Ross
Born in Lynchburg, VA, Evainna W. Ross has dedicated most of her life to helping youth secure better educational and economic opportunities through the development of her nonprofit organization, The Sparrow's Nest, Inc.
Upon graduating from North Carolina A&T State University with a B.S. in Public Relations in 1991, Ross began her journey working with youth under the leadership of the late civil rights pioneer, Rev. Prince E. Graves. Ross spent six years volunteering as the youth director of St. James Baptist Church increasing their youth programs' participation substantially.
Ross took what she learned at St. James Baptist Church and developed a community based model and launched The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. in Claremont Courts, a public housing community in Greensboro in October 2008. The Sparrow's Nest , Inc. was a mobile service which provided free programs on Saturdays such as ballroom dancing, sculpting, culinary arts and public speaking directly to youth in 4 of the largest public housing communities in Greensboro. Because of the growing popularity of these programs, Ross felt she wasn't making a lasting impact only seeing youth in these communities once a month. For that reason, in 2010, Ross, with a panel of educators and business owners, interviewed and selected 50 middle and high school youth to be members of a leadership program called The Chosen 50. The majority of these youth were selected from the communities she had served prior. These youth remained in the program until they graduated high school.
During their time in the program, these youth were empowered to make positive decisions for their lives as well as their communities. These youth have developed their own small businesses, developed political campaigns, created a stock portfolio and learned how to purchase their own homes and cars.
In 2014, Ross was recognized nationally by the Ascena Retail Group as an "everyday hero" who has dedicated her life to making the world a better place by empowering children in the areas of education, social support and self-esteem.
The Sparrow's Nest, Inc. has continued to evolve into a program which addresses the need of an ever-changing society. In 2016 they launched their newest division, The Black Suit Initiative, an all male leadership and community engagement program for middle and high school students.
Ross has been married to Kevin for 33 years and they have one daughter, Amariah.