Grantee Spotlight: Empowering Young Men and Strengthening Community Bonds in Muncie
Growing up on the streets of Muncie and struggling with alcohol abuse, Melvin Kelly, founder of Brothers to Brothers United (B2B), navigated many challenges. Now, he hopes his life story and vision for B2B can inspire change in the lives of young males in our community.
B2B, a nonprofit organization in Muncie, is dedicated to bridging the gap between older and younger Black men, offering mentorship, education programs, and a shared community to vulnerable and at-risk youth.
A Mission Rooted in Shared Experiences
Melvin Kelly’s journey to founding B2B stems from his own life experiences. In his childhood, Melvin spent time in jail, boys' schools, and children's homes. Alcohol and a lack of support at home greatly affected him and shaped the direction of his adolescence. Despite these hardships, he turned his life around—raising four sons, owning a private cleaning business, and working for the Muncie Parks Department, Muncie Mission, Youth Opportunity Center (YOC), and Yorktown High School. Young men Melvin has worked with still thank him to this day for being a part of their lives. Melvin’s life experiences are a powerful reminder that past decisions do not determine one’s destiny.
Most importantly, Melvin understands the struggles some young men face in our community when it comes to substance abuse and not having strong male figures in their life.
“I found a sense of purpose working with young men who feel like they have been given up on because that’s how I felt.” Melvin commented, “I believe that with the right opportunities and resources, they can overcome their past, learn from it, and build a future they are proud of.”
The Importance of Positive Male Role Models
In many communities, especially those affected by economic disparities, children often grow up without positive male role models. Statistics show that 85% of young people who are in prison come from fatherless homes. Having a father or male mentor involved in an adolescent's life has been found to influence this rate. B2B aims to fill this critical gap by providing mentorship through positive male role models who guide and support young men as they navigate life’s challenges.
Building a Vision: The Development of B2B
In 2017, Melvin founded Brothers 2 Brothers United with the goal of creating a supportive community where at-risk youth, who do not typically enroll in traditional programs, can find the mentorship and resources they need to succeed. He specifically aimed to connect with young men who might be in trouble with the law, struggling with alcohol abuse, or lacking strong family support, and to provide them with mentorship and resources that would inspire them to forge their own futures.
The journey was not without challenges. B2B faced significant setbacks, including the need for building refurbishment and the impacts of COVID-19. Despite these obstacles, Melvin’s determination and the support of volunteers and donors kept the vision alive. Now, B2B has a community mentoring center on Muncie’s east side, located just a few blocks from where Melvin grew up.
Working Together
Melvin noted, the success of B2B has been a collective effort. Numerous organizations, companies, and volunteers have rallied around the organization, providing resources like donated building materials and support to overcome various challenges as a “start-up” with a dream to create a safe space for young men to grow.
In 2020, Ball Brothers Foundation visited B2B and wholeheartedly embraced Melvin's vision for the organization. Since then, BBF has proudly supported B2B, providing grants for computers, furniture, and building improvements. The foundation’s contributions, among many others, have enabled B2B to enhance its facilities and expand its programs.
“Without the help from organizations like Ball Brothers Foundation and the City of Muncie, we wouldn’t have this opportunity. We wouldn’t be here today,” Melvin expressed.
Where is B2B Now?
B2B has worked to develop a range of programs designed to equip young men with essential life skills, covering personal finance, technology literacy, work ethics, and community engagement.
Looking ahead, B2B is developing an Alternative Program for at-risk youth in coordination with the juvenile detention center and other community organizations. This program aims to offer structured support and mentorship opportunities for young men currently facing behavioral challenges to transform their lives.
Melvin reflects, “Creating an uplifting and safe place for young men has been central to our efforts. Parents have called expressing their appreciation in seeing a positive force grow in the community that’s truly impacting their children’s lives. We want to make Muncie proud and continue to make our community better and stronger, together.”
How You Can Help
As B2B continues to grow, the organization is seeking skilled tradesmen, volunteers, and contributions to help build a half-court and play area for its members. Additionally, B2B is always looking for mentors—both men and women—who are interested in supporting the organization’s mission to help bring connection among our at-risk youth in the community.
If you’re interested in volunteer or mentorship opportunities, contact Melvin.
