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Level Up
Your Child's Life
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Our Mission
Bay Heart Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps young men in under-resourced neighborhoods succeed by building strong support systems around them. We bring together young men, families, and communities for learning, connection, and long term growth.
Public Events
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Programs
Bay Heart Foundation provides hands-on, creative skill-building programs tailored for young men in need. Through technology, art and real-world projects, we equip them with critical thinking skills and practical trade experience which empower them to build sustainable careers for their future.
Future Makers Academy
Where STEM, creativity, and opportunity intersect.
FutureMakers Academy is Bay Heart’s youth empowerment pathway designed for boys ages 5–17 living in underserved communities across Bay County. This program introduces young men to hands-on STEM activities, emerging technologies, and digital career possibilities—helping them imagine futures they may have never seen represented around them.
While the full program is still in development, our early efforts focus on partnership-based outreach. By collaborating with local nonprofits, we bring STEM demonstrations, career exposure events, and creative technology experiences directly to boys in low-income neighborhoods, single-parent households, and government-supported housing.
FutureMakers Academy aims to expand career opportunities, build confidence, and spark curiosity about high-growth fields. As funding grows, this program will evolve into a comprehensive pathway offering STEM fairs, digital skills training, and future-focused mentorship opportunities for youth across Bay County.
FutureMakers Academy is Bay Heart’s youth empowerment pathway designed for boys ages 5–17 living in underserved communities across Bay County. This program introduces young men to hands-on STEM activities, emerging technologies, and digital career possibilities—helping them imagine futures they may have never seen represented around them.
While the full program is still in development, our early efforts focus on partnership-based outreach. By collaborating with local nonprofits, we bring STEM demonstrations, career exposure events, and creative technology experiences directly to boys in low-income neighborhoods, single-parent households, and government-supported housing.
FutureMakers Academy aims to expand career opportunities, build confidence, and spark curiosity about high-growth fields. As funding grows, this program will evolve into a comprehensive pathway offering STEM fairs, digital skills training, and future-focused mentorship opportunities for youth across Bay County.
Creators Circle
Exploring identity, culture, and creativity through hands-on media arts.
Creator’s Circle is Bay Heart’s developing creative arts pathway for boys ages 5–17 in underserved communities across Bay County. This program helps young men build real-world creative skills through photography, digital media, and visual storytelling—opening doors to future careers in art, media, and design.
Our initial curriculum includes a six-class hands-on photography course where youth learn how to operate a camera, capture professional-quality images, and edit their work using industry-standard techniques. Once launched, the program will expand into videography, filmmaking, fashion expression, and other creative mediums.
Creator’s Circle gives boys the tools to express themselves, develop confidence, and begin exploring creative career paths rarely accessible in their neighborhoods. With the right equipment, mentors, and community support, this program will grow into a full creative career training pathway for Bay County youth.
Creator’s Circle is Bay Heart’s developing creative arts pathway for boys ages 5–17 in underserved communities across Bay County. This program helps young men build real-world creative skills through photography, digital media, and visual storytelling—opening doors to future careers in art, media, and design.
Our initial curriculum includes a six-class hands-on photography course where youth learn how to operate a camera, capture professional-quality images, and edit their work using industry-standard techniques. Once launched, the program will expand into videography, filmmaking, fashion expression, and other creative mediums.
Creator’s Circle gives boys the tools to express themselves, develop confidence, and begin exploring creative career paths rarely accessible in their neighborhoods. With the right equipment, mentors, and community support, this program will grow into a full creative career training pathway for Bay County youth.
Rise & Thrive Support Hub
Academic support, mentorship, life skills, and confidence-building resources.
Rise & Thrive Support Hub is Bay Heart’s core youth development program for boys ages 5–17 in underserved neighborhoods across Bay County. This program combines academic tutoring, group mentorship, and practical life skills training to help young men grow in confidence, discipline, and personal success.
Currently active in a limited but impactful capacity, Rise & Thrive provides weekly tutoring and mentorship for a small group of students—supporting subjects like reading, math, study skills, and homework completion. As part of a holistic approach, the program also teaches practical life skills such as situational awareness, how to change a tire, tie a tie, or handle real-world challenges responsibly.
Additional confidence-building services, including free haircuts, braids, and guided vision board sessions, are being developed for broader implementation as the program expands.
With continued support, Rise & Thrive will grow into a full academic success and mentorship hub—equipping boys across Bay County with the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to thrive in school, life, and community.
Rise & Thrive Support Hub is Bay Heart’s core youth development program for boys ages 5–17 in underserved neighborhoods across Bay County. This program combines academic tutoring, group mentorship, and practical life skills training to help young men grow in confidence, discipline, and personal success.
Currently active in a limited but impactful capacity, Rise & Thrive provides weekly tutoring and mentorship for a small group of students—supporting subjects like reading, math, study skills, and homework completion. As part of a holistic approach, the program also teaches practical life skills such as situational awareness, how to change a tire, tie a tie, or handle real-world challenges responsibly.
Additional confidence-building services, including free haircuts, braids, and guided vision board sessions, are being developed for broader implementation as the program expands.
With continued support, Rise & Thrive will grow into a full academic success and mentorship hub—equipping boys across Bay County with the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to thrive in school, life, and community.
Roots & Rhythm Collective
Celebrating culture, unity, and wellness through movement, music, and shared experience.
Roots & Rhythm Collective is Bay Heart’s emerging cultural enrichment and community-building program for boys ages 5–17 in underserved areas of Bay County. Designed to honor heritage and foster a sense of belonging, this program will bring youth together through movement, music, cultural celebrations, and shared community experiences.
While still in development, Roots & Rhythm aims to create joyful spaces where young men can connect, learn, and express themselves through culturally relevant activities. Future offerings may include dance workshops, cultural holiday events, music-based gatherings, and communal meals that celebrate unity and tradition.
As the program grows, Roots & Rhythm Collective will support emotional well-being, cultural awareness, and stronger community bonds—helping youth feel connected to their roots and confident in their identity.
Roots & Rhythm Collective is Bay Heart’s emerging cultural enrichment and community-building program for boys ages 5–17 in underserved areas of Bay County. Designed to honor heritage and foster a sense of belonging, this program will bring youth together through movement, music, cultural celebrations, and shared community experiences.
While still in development, Roots & Rhythm aims to create joyful spaces where young men can connect, learn, and express themselves through culturally relevant activities. Future offerings may include dance workshops, cultural holiday events, music-based gatherings, and communal meals that celebrate unity and tradition.
As the program grows, Roots & Rhythm Collective will support emotional well-being, cultural awareness, and stronger community bonds—helping youth feel connected to their roots and confident in their identity.
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team is passionate about empowering youth through creativity, education, and community. Each member brings unique skills and heart, working together to inspire, mentor, and support the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Ronell "Original" Simmons
Original is the visionary founder and president of the Bay Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through creative and practical learning experiences. A proud Oakland, CA native, he was raised by a single mother and experienced firsthand the challenges faced by youth in under-resourced urban communities. These early experiences now fuel his deep passion for mentorship and community uplift.
For the past four years, Original has made his home in the Bay Area, and for the last three years, he has been a dedicated community activist in Bay County. His efforts have included organizing food giveaways, feeding the homeless, and most recently, launching a youth music lab to provide a safe, creative outlet for self-expression. With a professional background in hospitality management, he brings a unique blend of organizational skill and heart-centered leadership to every initiative, driven by the belief that hands-on education can transform lives and communities.
For the past four years, Original has made his home in the Bay Area, and for the last three years, he has been a dedicated community activist in Bay County. His efforts have included organizing food giveaways, feeding the homeless, and most recently, launching a youth music lab to provide a safe, creative outlet for self-expression. With a professional background in hospitality management, he brings a unique blend of organizational skill and heart-centered leadership to every initiative, driven by the belief that hands-on education can transform lives and communities.
Charles "Chas" Higgins
With over 23 years of experience in the United States Air Force as a leader, trainer, and coach, Chas brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role as a Leadership and Life Enhancement Coach. His passion for helping individuals and teams find purpose, direction, and success in both their personal and professional lives is evident in every aspect of his work.
After retiring from the Air Force in 2014 and settling in Florida, Chas faced life-changing challenges that led him to a profound realization about the importance of personal growth and resilience. Through his own journey of overcoming adversity, including a battle with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide, Chas gained a deep understanding of the human experience and the power of coaching to facilitate positive change.
After retiring from the Air Force in 2014 and settling in Florida, Chas faced life-changing challenges that led him to a profound realization about the importance of personal growth and resilience. Through his own journey of overcoming adversity, including a battle with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide, Chas gained a deep understanding of the human experience and the power of coaching to facilitate positive change.
Danielle Pierce
Danielle currently serves as the Assistant Director of the TRiO Upward Bound Program at Gulf Coast State College, where she is dedicated to helping first-generation and underserved students gain access to higher education. Deeply rooted in her community, Danielle actively volunteers and partners with local organizations to support youth development and educational equity.
In addition to her work with TRiO, she mentors students through the Take Stock in Children program with Bay Education and frequently advises high school students as they prepare for college. Driven by purpose and compassion, Danielle lives by the quote from Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” She embodies this through her daily efforts to uplift and empower the next generation of scholars and leaders.
In addition to her work with TRiO, she mentors students through the Take Stock in Children program with Bay Education and frequently advises high school students as they prepare for college. Driven by purpose and compassion, Danielle lives by the quote from Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” She embodies this through her daily efforts to uplift and empower the next generation of scholars and leaders.
Join Us In Helping The Next Generation
Contact Original today to learn more about how to support our mission!
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