The Good Life – May-June 2023

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HIP-HOP & west to the Youth Correctional Center and Teen Challenge in Mandan and the Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot. Partnerships throughout the community contribute to the program’s success. Support comes from local churches and connections come from the F5 Project, Youth for Christ and Jail Chaplains. Isai Rojas, better known as “E,” at Skill Cutz comes in monthly to provide free haircuts for kids in the detention center. “We just really try to meet them in the middle of their mess, which is really where they’re at when they’re incarcerated,” Bloom said. Although they hosted an event in California, which is where Bloom grew up, the nonprofit’s goal is to “stay local and pollinate across the whole state.” Bloom wants to hit key locations two to three times each year across North Dakota in addition to the regular work he’s doing in Cass County and Clay County. He feels they can “sow the greatest harvest locally.” While the programming started with kids, its expansion to reach adults has been met with a positive reception. “This is not me at all. I believe it’s totally God,” Bloom said. “Men and women feel refreshed when we visit them. They remember they’re human again. They start talking about their kids and their goals.” BLAZE OF GLORY Many want to maintain the connections that they make during the programs, which are offered in a variety of 8 / THE GOOD LIFE / urbantoadmedia.com
formats. Beyond the regular workshops and visitations at local jails and detention centers, Hip-Hop and Hope Tours offers regular monthly, quarterly and annual events. “Night of Hope” events take place each month for men and women who are incarcerated as well as those in juvenile detention. Bloom hosts a Family Unite event every quarter that helps incarcerated people spend quality time with family and loved ones. Hip-Hop and Hope Tours also provides two-day workshops throughout the year. These include hip-hop performances, Gospel presentations and breakout sessions tailored to the group, whether adults or youths. Hip-Hop and Hope Tours relies on donations to make all of this happen. They don’t charge the detention centers or other partners but instead solicit contributions on their website, hiphopandhopetours.com. Those donations help bring some hope — a taste of the good life, you could say — to those who need it most. “To me, the good life means just following God and loving people and helping people get where they’re trying to go,” Bloom said. “For us, it’s helping people in prison stay out of prison, connect with their kids, get a job, and let them know they’re not done.” • urbantoadmedia.com / THE GOOD LIFE / 9
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The Good Life – May-June 2023

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