I have had the pleasure of meeting Mary Brown, Larry Quick and some of the boys from LPTM a few years ago - I was so impressed with what Mary and Larry have done to support these young kids. LPTM provides them with support, guidance, and goals for a bright future which they may not otherwise get the opportunity to have.

An amazing organization that reports an unusual method of the engagement of our future generation of young males at levels that relate to and leads to future leadership ability.

There is nothing that is require than to care for the neglected and frustrated ... that is what this is all about. God bless you!!!!!!!

I have had the good fortune of spending time with both Mary Brown and many of her boys. Mary's spirit is so great, and she is so free with it- her boys are able to just sop it up like a sponge. The boys are sweet and wonderful, Mary's staff are dedicated and strong; fantastic people involved in a phenomenol and intelligent organization.

“I Need a Brother To Stand”

I have worked in rough low-income inner-city neighborhoods for decades. You see it all –the hope and the hopelessness. On rare occasions, you encounter a true catalyst for change, a trigger that can save lives, families and societies. Life Pieces (taking the pieces of one’s life) to Masterpieces (and stitching them together on canvas with word, thread, and emotion) is one of those rare levers for true change –they symbolically and physically create masterpieces.

“I Need a Brother To Stand”
These words rang out and pierced my heart 7 or so years ago as four or five young men stood in a line, one behind the next. Each stepped out left and right, reciting words starkly depicted on a canvas nearby, a canvas of reds and yellows with black silhouettes of men standing –standing up.

The 10-year old voices spoke of both the crisis and the need for men, black men to stand as they promised to stand. They gave messages worth hearing, messages I have never forgotten.

Life Pieces to Masterpieces tackles real issues dead on, polarizing issues within the community, family and society at large –issues people look over the shoulder before discussing. They drag them into the light with honesty and alacrity.

They do so without agenda and artifice, just clean piercing words that state the problem and the solution from their perspective. Many people will write about the impact LPMP has on its students –and it is exceptional they save lives every day in Washington, DC. But their impact is much broader –the impact those young men can have and have had on their community, society, and the world at large—to see it through their eyes, to understand it differently, and to face it head-on. They are voices that our country and our world desperately need to hear and understand –voices of true change.

Maureen Holla, Higher Achievement WDC

This is a wonderful organization, truly changing the lives of young men in Washington DC. Their caring and unbelievably committed executive director, Mary Brown, and her staff nurture these young men as if each one of them were their own sons.

It is not often in the course of human events that one comes across an organization that so enriches the lives of all who come in contact eith it. Life Pieces to Masterpieces is one such organization. The work done by this fantastic organization has produced positive outcomes for young men who would have otherwise been consumed by their environment. In addition the value that they give back to the community through their art and other activites is so powerful it has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Everyone I talk to who has been exposed to the LPTM experience has found it to personally life changing. I look forward to even greater outcomes in the future.

Raymond Covington

Mary,

LPTM is an extraordinary organization, I hope you and LPTM will continue to grow and be an inspiration to all of us.

May all that is good within us honor you, LPTM, and your supporters good works and encourage you to keep doing what you are doing.

Richard K. Walker

Having been a donor to LPTM for the past six or seven years, I can honestly say that I have put my money where my mouth is.

LPTM is an inspiring organization that teaches young people with little hope to be resilient and to make the most of their potential, even when day-to-day life tries to grind them down. I have an LPTM painting called "The One-eared Boys" prominently displayed on the wall of my office. The artwork is as breathtaking, as is the message -- it depicts a boy reaching out and offering his basketball to two others who have only one ear -- a striking call for inclusion and tolerance and humanity. The piece is very eye-catching and gives me an entree to spread the "LPTM gospel" to everyone who walks by. Please keep up the great work.

The England Family Foundation has supported LPTM for over 2 years and plans to continue doing so. Their work is remarkable. This is a wonderful program for young men at risk, as well as other kids in DC. It truly brings out their amazing artistic talents.

I have witnessed the work of Life Pieces to Masterpieces for about 10 years now, they are an organization that creates family, community and a place of safety and creativity for thier young members. Unless you have seen them in action, words can not describe the powerful life building experiences that the young men that are a part of this effort are given and give back out to the world, particularly their Washington DC community. There has never been a more appropriate named organization than Life Pieces to Masterpieces, as you see the pieces of young men's lives turned into Masterpieces of expression, learning, power and art. Long live LPTM.

Mark Robinson

It is amazing to see the young boys who come in as apprentices be literally TRANSFORMED in to men. Young men whose dreams are able to be realized. Life Pieces is a FABULOUS organization that should be applauded - it's great to see young African-American men and their families become the change they want to see in their communities! Talk about EMPOWERMENT!

I had the honor to work as a Lifepieces to Masterpieces mentor during the summer of 2007. Getting to know the kids and staff was one of the most positive experiences of my life. I believe that LPTM's commitment fundamentally changes the lives of the young men in the program -- both through the mentoring and tutoring services they provide and the love they give to everyone who walks through the door.

I am happy to know that there is a spiritually based organization dedicated to nuturing the talent andd bringing out the best in minority young men. Our young men need that desperately and I support your efforts. I , too, am involved in an non-profit organization similar to yours here in an underserved community in the St. Louis ,Mo. and understand the challenges your organization faces on a daily basis. Perhaps, sometime you can share with me some of the programs that you have implemented in your area that you have found have a made a significant impact in your community that we, too,could implement here. I look forward to sharing with you soon! You can contact me directly...Ask Kai for my personal information, we were dorm room floormates at Howard University freshmen year!

LPTMP is simply one of those 'unsung oganzizations' that just 'gets the job done'. No 'big-ado'; no fancy stuff... Just 'get the job done!'... Their leader, Mary Brown somehow finds the time, energy, and stamina to not only give it all for 'her kids', but also "spread the word" to others throughout the United States by facilitating workshops at the NeighborWorks America Community Leadership Insitutes and NeighborWorks Training Institutes - oftentimes with young men from LPTMP. She consistantly gets very high marks for her innovative approach to facilitating and engaging young people in the world of community development... GRACIAS, MARY!

AFTER TOURING OPRAH'S SCHOOL FOR YOUNG GIRLS, COMEDIAN CHRIS ROCK ASKED, WELL WHAT ABOUT OUR YOUNG MEN...WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ONCE THESE YOUNG LADIES GROW UP AND ARE READY TO PARTNER WITH GOOD HUSBANDS?

...SEEMS LIKE THE YOUNG MEN AT LIFE PIECES TO MASTER PIECES MAY JUST BE THE UNITED STATES' ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION ... ENCOURAGING...

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION. YOU HAVE INSPIRED US TO DO THE SAME. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING & SUPPORTING LIFE PIECES TO MASTERPIECES! EACH ONE HELP ONE!

LPTM is like a miner and a jeweler in one--mining, creating, and shaping jewels from the sometimes rough and tumble District environment! The young men are striving to do better, be better, and live better. My neighborhood is all the richer because of them. I look forward to continuing to watch the young men and LPTM soar!

LPTM is a refreshing approach to helping young men at risk and Mary Brown brings an amazing passion and energy to the cause. She is brilliant, genuine, and unwavering in her commitment.

Most importantly, perhaps, the LPTM method has proven itself. I have personally met many of the young men who come out of the program, and they are remarkable and amazing individuals. I believe that the fact that many young men who complete the program stay as counselors speaks for the success and welcoming, supportive, and nurturing environment that LPTM provides for these young men.

Working for Life Pieces has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Seeing the great work that this organization does on a day to day basis with the children is something truly inspiring. The concepts of love, trust, honesty and integrity are infused in every aspect of this wonderful establishment, and it shows. The success stories are numerous, despite the significant odds against the young men.

To Mary and the Life Pieces to Masterpieces team, I hope you continue your wonderful work well into the future and I wish you all the best for the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Marcel Correa

When I worked at Life Pieces during the summer, I began my commute from West Falls Church, where I was staying.

Around the Foggy Bottom Metro stop, things would get very crowded. But as we approached the Minnesota Avenue station, the numbers on the train would slowly dwindle. A bunch of people would get off at Metro Center. Another group would make their departure around Smithsonian or Eastern Market. But once I emerged from the tunnel, above ground, east of the river, I found myself in an empty car cabin. I sat alone, cruising past the gentrification projects, the liquor stores perched next to gray church buildings, all draped in a translucent sheet of noxious smoke that emanated from the belching smoke stacks of a large plant.

Everyone knows that Life Pieces to Masterpieces is phenomenal because of the artwork the organization has produced, or because of the success stories that it has created; the paintings and songs, over the years, have grown organically from the trials and triumphs of the young men of the program. However, it is easy to forget about Life Pieces' greatest achievement: in a crime-ridden world of hopelessness and utter despair, the founders and the boys of Life Pieces have managed to create a microcosm of love, expression, and life.

As human beings, we should do everything in our power to preserve and uplift that which promotes life and song over death.

Mary Brown has done an incredible job building LPTM into of of DCs most successful youth-service organizations. She's an inspiration to the rest of us in the field!

Its a nice afterschool program to come to so I can stay out of trouble and stay on the right path so that I can do great in my life. I like working in the office after school.

I still make mistakes but I know I can do better. No matter what I know LPTM will be here for me and I will be here for them.

Life Pieces is a good organization for people who want to become men. LPTM Mentors know how to train boys to be ready forthe outside world. I like learning how to become a strong black man. I am 12 and one day I want to be a mentor at LPTM. I will go to a 4 year college and then become a police officer and a construction worker.

The reason I want to become a police officer is to help people be safe and fight crime. I want to be a construction worker so that I can build a bunch of houses for all the people who don't have homes.

LPTM is a home away from home. It teaches you more about life. It makes you feel better about yourself and helps you love one another.

I would like to go to Africa to teach teenagers what I have learned here at LPTM. I would also like to learn from teenagers in Africa.

Shout out to Life Pieces

As a person who believes in Life Pieces To Masterpieces, I became aware of your incredible program 3 or 4 years ago. I asked the law firm where I work to start an internship program and it employed 3 LPTM apprentices over the summers of 2005 and 2006. The law firm committed to a two-year run and the internship program was a success. The apprentices from the LPTM program were enthusiastic, helpful, willing to work and an asset to LPTM. My employer hosted an art showcase to introduce works of art made by the apprentices of LPTM. I attended events held at The Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum where LPTM artwork was showcased, too. Having made unannounced visits to LPTM, I was impressed by what I saw and learned during the time that I was there. Mary Brown and Ben Johnson, just to name a couple of tireless workers, are very much committed to working on behalf of the young men of LPTM. I remain committed to LPTM's mission to help wherever help is needed. I am impressed by the tenacity of the staff and the commitment by the children to remain involved in the program despite other obstacles. I am encouraged by the simplicity of the program in that apprentices who were in the program get to serve as mentors to the younger program participants. LPTM is an excellent program and I believe in its mission and look forward to hearing many more wonderful stories about accomplishments of its participants.

I'm Jeremiah. My soul name is Brother Heart. Ben, one of LPTM's adult mentors gave me this name because I'm not afraid of anything.I have a lot of courage. I've been in Life Pieces for 6 yrs. and I've learned howto be more of a leader. I work with the younger kids and learning a lot of life lessons.

Shout out to Ms.Mary, "Sister Sunshine", for making this organization what it is now.

Since working at Life Pieces, I learned how to get better responses from children and how to step up and show leadership. I'm 18 years old and have only been here at LPTM for 3 months.

In that 3 months, not only have I seen different ways to handle negative situations, I learned how to avoid them all together.

I believe that what we do at LPTM can be used all around the world. The young, the old, male, female, really anybody who is human can learn from what we do here at LPTM.

Shout out to ALL the BROTHERS ALL AROUND THE WORLD!

I have had the privilege of working with Life Pieces to Masterpieces since their beginning in 1996. MY organization was one of the first funders of this group and we have been around since that time following this wonderful and dedicated group of young men led by Mary Brown. Since its becoming of age I have seen Life Pieces to Masterpieces demonstrate how in its work it is fast becoming a safe haven for the boys that are in its program. This group has an amazing impact on the community because it has struggled to use art as an alternative activity which impacts the human condition of African-American males residing in DC's low-income public housing community.

LPTM is a family to kids that been here for a long time. I've been here six years and I serve as a mentor to the younger LPTM Apprentices. LPTM elders have always been here helping me and my brothers in the times of need.

Last year I started making D's and F's. LPTM helped me get into another school and now I'm making A's and B's and am back on track to North Carolina Central College where I plan to major in English.

I want the whole world to learn about all that we do at LPTM! It doesn't matter where you are from, if you are a boy or young man who could use some help to know what direction you should go in life, LPTM can get you there.

Shout out to LPTM Mentors, apprentices,Elders,staff, kids and future kids who will come to or learn about Life Pieces!

I am a 8 year LPTM Senior Apprentice and my soul name is Brother Poet. I received my soul name about two years ago because I like creating poems.

LPTM has pointed my life in the right direction. I have been given great opportunities to travel different places and talk to peoplefrom all parts of the world about LPTM's purpose, premise,process,tool and principles.

I plan to go to college and become a professional writer/author. My goal is to go to Georgetown University. Everyday I come and mentor/tutor my LPTM little brothers. One day they will take my place and maybe follow in my footsteps.

Shout out to LPTM and all my brothers and brothers to be from around the world!

I first learned of the remarkable work of Life Pieces to Masterpieces (LPTM) about six years ago when I became manager of World Bank's Community Outreach programs, and I have been a supporter ever since. In the capital of the United States, male children of African American descent are subjected to a pain and fear that most of us in this city will never understand or experience. LPTM provides a home - a safety net - a place where they can learn to be strong and happy. It is magical to see the staff of LPTM, led by the incredible Mary Brown, nurture these children and provide them with the opportunity to create a powerful shield around themselves - a shield that will protect them and remind them they are good, productive people, deserving of everything.
Recently, I visited LPTM and met a young man (about 15 yrs old) - he read me a poem that moved me deeply. In this poem, he spoke of his fears, his dysfunctional environment and his desire to kill himself - he simply could not live with the pain of his life. If not for LPTM, where would this young man go? Where would he receive the love and nurturing, the alternatives in front of him? Rather than be judgemental of him, Mary and Ben and others kept him thinking about the possibilities and helping him learn to survive and overcome obstacles, high as they might be. That young man has now changed schools - he's doing well, I hear - and most importantly, he's alive because of LPTM.
LPTM art hangs in my office as a reminder of the power of these children to be change agents for themselves. I simply love to hear the laughter of LPTM kids!

I have had the priviledge of working with Life Pieces to Masterpieces given two diverse community grant initiatives, the Drug Prevention & Children at Risk Fund and the DC PLAY BLOCKS project. The talent and commitment demonstrated was outstanding. LPMP is a phenomenal creative haven for the young men in DC and it gives them the opportunity to shine and to share their talents with the world.

I had the honor and pleasure of getting to know and working with Life Pieces during the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities UPSTART capacity building grant program in 2006. This is an extraordinary organization that has been carefully nurtured by the caring, passionate and visionary leadership of Mary Brown and her strong and committed staff and board. The DC community values and supports Life Pieces' transfomative work with the young men it serves -- here's to Life Pieces receiving the broad recognition that it so richly deserves for its important work!

I've seen presentations by the LPTM apprentices and spoken with many individual apprentices and have always been incredibly impressed by how mature, thoughtful and focused the apprentices are. These remarkable young men clearly demonstrate that they have emotional and interpersonal skills and drive to maximize their potential and to help those around them do the same. LPTM has an amazing impact on its participants and should be recognized for their extraordinary contributions. Keep up the good work!

Having visited Life Pieces to Masterpieces, I am overwhelmed with your work with young men (and the suport you provide to their families). To be there and witness the program and the benefits derived from the innovative and committed staff is both moving and gratifying. The artwork is unique and inspiring, I applause your efforts and wish Life Pieces to Masterpieces continued success in all your endeavors. It was a pleasure to meet staff of your caliber.

I am the recently retired Director of the International Monetary Fund's Civic Program, where we funded LPTM for several years. We were of course impressed by this unique program with positive results, but we were even more impressed with how this organization has done everything to implement best practices in their programs. Several years ago they hired an evalution team, (with a grant) to perform an audit of their program, and the team found that the standard evaluation tools did not fit the profile of this community, so the evaluators had to create a new measurement tool to evaluate this program. In fact, now this tool is being used in major urban cities throughout the country.

Mary Brown has reached out throughout a diverse community to get funding and in-kind help for LPTM and she has attending many capacity buillding seminars and joined many professional networking groups. Mary is a tireless crusader and I respect the work that she is doing to give these young men a better chance for a successful life.

Kathy DeBoe
Retired, IMF Civic Program
Currently, Office of Partnerships and Grants Development
D.C. Government

Lifepieces to Masterpieces is an organization that is making a powerful change in the lives of young men who might otherwise be in prison, addicted to drugs, or out on the street. The intensive work her apprentices put in to guide, support, and help these young men provides incredible mentoring and learning opportunities. The exposure to leadership, self-healing through meditation and yoga, and creativity through the arts and language, build strong men from the inside out. Lifepieces is the best of what our country and its community nonprofits can be.

I would need at least 50 pages to talk about this wonderful organization. But since I don't have 50 pages I will just say - LPTMP is a grassroots community based organization that is making an enormous difference in the lives of inner city children and youth that otherwise would not even think about living pass the ripe old age of 21, complete a high school education; let alone aspire to attend and graduate from college. The program has been from what I have seen, first hand, a positive impact on the lives of children and youth that most people would have given up on. It is truly amazing. LPTMP led by Mary Brown and the dedicated staff treat these children and youth as their own. The connections they develop with them are compassionate and sincere and the children feel this. I am honored to know an organization of this caliber that does so many wonderful things, with so little, for the community in which they live - making things better for our youth in the nation’s capital.

LPTM is a wonderful organization. I had the pleasure of watching LPTM members aged 3-18 chant positive messages that celebrated their dreams, creativity, contributions, community, and connection to others. It was such an uplifting experience seeing young boys and teenagers embrace their individuality and to share how they are empowered to overcome the challenges that life brings. This is just a quick snapshot of the wonders that Mary Brown and others achieve at LPTM.

Mary Brown is a very giving and strong woman who has opened her arms to a variety of youth even outside her organization. She did not hesitate to start a program with six teenage young men from a nearby charter school to teach them media literacy and to analyze how African American men are portrayed in the sports, news, music, video, and television media. Not only did Mary extend her support to these young men, but she has continued her partnership with the school and has always been a great resource when they need help or are trying to seek employment.

I think the reason why LPTM is so successful is because of the strength and kindess of those who founded the program and those who continue to uphold the mission. Their dedication, warmth, and generosity has inpired, transformed, and uplifted the young people who attend their program.

I think art for social change is one of the most positive forces for youth in the world today. I am inspired by LPTM and I hope it can continue to share its mission with others.

I have had the honor of watching LPTM evolve from nearly the beginning. As the organization has grown, it stays true to its mission and provides the boys and young men with tangible creative expression, positive male role models, safety, acceptance and love.

Life Pieces has had a tremendous impact on my family, in addition to having a huge impact on each of the boys who are participants in the program. Over the years I have watched young men go through the program, young men who may have otherwise been forgotten about, or had no hope, or or were otherwise victims of a system that doesn't prize them in the same way that other students might be prized. The transformation has been significant and meaningful.

Members of my family have worked for life pieces and though they have never been forgotten about, have reason to hope and have never been victims, what Life Pieces has shaped their own purpose and mission in life--it has provided an important opportunity to give of one's self to young men who need someone to pay a little bit of a attention to them....and the transformation in the those members of my families who have been employees there has been great. They have a greater purpose, a greater mission and are learning the importance of role modeling and giving to those who otherwise would go without.

Please give life pieces the grant--it will be money well spent and will help the organization continue to make a difference in the lives of all of those involved.

This organization is a life line for students who are often overlooked by the public school system. It is a vital, nurturing and confidence-boosting organization that yields positive results. Many of the boys who have gone through this program go on to pursue higher education which is vital to our survival as a society.

This is an organization that lives up to its name. It recognizes that a life is masterpiece if shaped properly.

I worked in the summer program for the last two years and the most striking attribute of LPTM was the sense of family. Meals were often homecooked by Mrs. Curry and whenever Mary Brown spoke of the young men, they were "her boys". I am not sure Mary has even heard of a forty hour week as her entire day both physically and mentally is dedicated to "her boys". As you enter the program for the first time, the first person you meet whether he is only six years of age or sixteen years of age will greet you with a confident yet respectful "welcome to Life Pieces to Masterpieces. My name is brother -----". It is a remarkable program that produces quantitative results but never forgets the intangibles.

If you think about the concept of this organization, it goes far beyond often priceless works of art. Through the arts, this organization teaches young men that they are indeed the works of art. True LIFE pieces that can grow into Masterpieces through working on acheiving their own goals and becoming strong family members, brothers and sons---and contributing to the communities around them. Through these young men, art helps to change lives....not just their own but it has an immense ripple effect also on the neighborhoods they come from.

I am an epilepitec but I do get around. My life will be devoted to helping the brothers at LPTM. I believe the brothers at LPTM are pioneers of the next generation.

Hi, my name is Erica Wickem and I am a current volunteer of Life Pieces to Masterpieces. I attend George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, Virginia. Life Pieces to Masterpices is one of the best organizations in D.C. From growing up in New Orleans, there was never these types of organizations for boys my age and older. I believe that Ms. Mary Brown is a wonderful mentor for these boys. My first day I was nervous because since LPTM is an all male organization, I was going to be the only girl. But, the boys were all really nice and opened-hearted. When you hear about boys in D.C., your first thoughts might be: drugs, alcohol, prison, etc. But, meeting these boys, all of your thoughts change. These boys want to achieve in life. They want to prove to other people that you can be successful no matter where you come from. And I believe in them. I now volunteer every weekend. I love spending time with the younger boys. You can see the passion in their eyes that they want to make their parents proud. They also want to make Ms. Mary proud. Ms. Mary has given them another chance. To be succesful in school, to not do drugs, to not hang with the wrong crowd, and to make smart decisions. Life Pieces is an all-around wonderful organization. And I hope it does well in the near future.

Hi! I am Donnell Kie, a founding member of Life Pieces To Masterpieces. For the past twelve years it has been a pleasure to have such wonderful individuals from Life Pieces be a part of my life. Life Pieces to Masterpieces does not feel like an afterschool program to me at all. In fact, it has become a second family to me from day one. With the amont of exposure they have mad available to me, I have traveled to so many places: Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New Yourk, Louisiana. LPTM also helped me join my school in going to London, Paris, Barcelona and so many more places. I have had a chance to meet visitors from Africa, Ireland, France and share the work we do here at LPTM. I have met and interacted with many different successful artists, entertainers, politicians, etc.

LPTM has not just done this for me, I have over 100 LPTM brothers who have the same opportunities if they work hard and strive to be "gentlemen, scholars, artists and atheletes". This is a pledge that every single LPTM Apprentice who turns 14 years old must take. I am in the 11th grade and and will definitely go to college.

I love LIfe Pieces to Masterpieces. I could not ask for a better program, a better family.

SHOUT OUT! "I LOVE Life Pieces To Masterpieces!"

I think LPTM is a positive program because it help our young African American brothers to survive in life. About 9 years ago, I walked into LPTM with my brothers, Terry, Davon, Kaelin and my cousins, Antwann and Andre. I knew it was a program for boys but I was determined to keep coming back.

Today, I am in the 11th grade at Woodson Senior High School and I have a 4.0 grade point average and want to become a physician one day. I know that I have my family at LPTM to thank, Today, I am still the only girl and would like to thank LPTM for keeping the door open for me. They did not turn me away and this has made all the difference in my life.

After school, I have been trained to work at LPTM by helping in the office with attendance and assiting in the Warriors' Treehouse. LPTM Warriors' Treehouse are the little LPTM Apprentices from ages 3-6. I also play basketball, softball and tennis.

When I become a Doctor, I want to come back to LPTM and have a clinic that could help the LPTM apprentices stay healthy instead of having to go to emergency rooms all the time when they are sick. I know my family here at LPTM will keep supporting me until I realize my dream and I can't wait to be able to come back and give to a family that has given me so much.

Giving a shout out to my LPTM family! I love you!

Love always,

Memo