ASEP Jr.
After-school enrichment for young learners — filling the critical hours after school with learning, creativity, and the kind of caring environment every child deserves.
What Is ASEP Jr.?
ASEP Jr. is Building Minds Building Communities' after-school enrichment pathway for children ages 5–11 in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn. As one of B2MC's Access & Advancement Pathways, ASEP Jr. serves as a primary entry point into the B2MC ecosystem — connecting young learners to knowledge, opportunity, and a community of support during the critical after-school hours.
ASEP Jr. is free. Every child is welcome.
Why ASEP Jr. Exists
Bedford-Stuyvesant is a community of resilience, creativity, and potential. Yet many children in our neighborhoods face real barriers — limited access to quality after-school programming, academic support, and enriching experiences that help them grow into confident, capable young people.
B2MC was founded on the belief that opportunity should not be limited by zip code, income, or access. ASEP Jr. exists to close that gap — providing children with the structured support, caring adults, and enriching experiences they need to thrive inside and outside the classroom.
What Children Learn and Experience
ASEP Jr. builds the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and creatively. Programming is designed to strengthen foundational skills while nurturing curiosity, confidence, and character.
Wellness, Emotional Support, and Connecting Families to Resources
B2MC recognizes that children do not arrive at after-school programs carrying only their backpacks. They carry their experiences — the stress of the school day, challenges at home, and the weight of growing up in a community navigating real pressures.
While ASEP Jr. is not a mental health or clinical service, B2MC is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and emotionally supportive environment where every child feels seen, valued, and cared for. Our staff and volunteers are attentive to the whole child — not just their academic progress.
When concerns arise, B2MC endeavors to connect families with appropriate community resources, mental health information, and support services available in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brooklyn. We believe that awareness, access to information, and connection to the right resources can make a meaningful difference in the life of a child and their family.
B2MC's MindBuilders™ program — a free community wellness initiative offering workshops, peer support, and healing-centered education — is available to youth, families, adults, and seniors. Families enrolled in ASEP Jr. are encouraged to explore MindBuilders™ as an additional layer of community support.
If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Part of Something Larger
ASEP Jr. is part of The BUILD Initiative™ — B2MC's community development framework for Building Up Individuals and Local Development. Every activity, lesson, and relationship in ASEP Jr. is designed to contribute to a larger outcome: young people who learn, lead, create, and prosper.
As children grow, they can continue their journey through ASEP Youth (ages 12–18) and eventually into B2MC's program portfolios and broader community opportunities.
Who Can Enroll
ASEP Jr. serves children ages 5–11 residing in or near Bedford-Stuyvesant and Stuyvesant Heights in Brooklyn, New York. The program is free and open to all.
A parent or guardian must complete the enrollment form and provide written consent for their child to participate. Because ASEP Jr. serves children ages 5–11, parental or guardian involvement is required at every stage — from enrollment through participation. B2MC is committed to maintaining a safe, nurturing, and structured environment for every child in our care.
A Note for Parents and Guardians
We understand that enrolling your child in a new program is a decision that deserves careful consideration. At B2MC, the safety, wellbeing, and development of every child we serve is our highest priority.
All ASEP Jr. participants require a parent or guardian to:
We welcome your questions, your involvement, and your partnership in your child's growth. B2MC staff are available to speak with you before, during, and after enrollment.
Register for ASEP Jr.
Enrollment requires a parent or guardian to complete and sign the consent form on behalf of all participants under 18.