ROCHESTER, N.Y. — One year after the tragic death of his son, Robert Ricks is determined to keep Rochester’s youth off the streets and out of prison.

His son, Robert Brooks, was beaten to death by prison guards at Marcy Correctional Facility.

Ricks said his son’s troubles began in the community, not in prison. He is working to prevent other kids from experiencing the same fate through his Mentors Inspiring Boys and Girls (MIBG) program at the Roxie Ann Sinkler R-Center on Grover Street.

MIBG plans to expand to two more locations, one on Jones Street and another at Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19, to reach more children.

“The information that we impart to young people, the stuff that they get here impacts their whole lives,” Ricks said. “And not just their lives, the lives of the young people they come encounter with, the lives of young people they see in school lives, their siblings at home.”

Since his son’s death, Ricks says his work has taken on a new importance. He doesn’t want these kids to end up in the same spot his son was.

“Not to say that I wasn’t committed to the process prior, but now it’s another level,” Ricks said. “It’s another level.”

On Wednesday, David Walters, a former prison guard who pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in Brooks’ death, was granted release on bond as he appeals. Ricks said this decision felt like a slap in the face.

“Had I known then what I know today, I would’ve given ankles and elbows to keep my son out of prison,” Ricks said. “But today I’m charged with knowledge, so what I do is I’ve renewed my commitment to creating safe spaces for young people.”

MIBG offers children ages 5 through 18 a space to express themselves and stay off the streets.

“They get an opportunity to learn how to pick up their pencils and not guns, to express their feelings, their thoughts and not to run,” Ricks said. “They learn how to work with each other.”

The program also provides academic support, with some kids testing two grade levels higher after just eight months, according to Ricks.

“Parents tell us that it really impacts their attitudes and behaviors at school,” Ricks said. “Just because this is something that they want to do, it’s not something they have to do, it’s something they want to do.”

The children showcased their positive attitudes with a dance and poetry performance at the R-Center.

“Calling all women, calling all sisters, calling all women to steal away to our secret place,” one child recited. “Having a meeting face to face, look at the facts, and determine our place.”

Ricks emphasized that the support from MIBG extends beyond the program’s walls, with staff attending kids’ athletic events, graduations, and parent-teacher conferences.

To learn more about the program, visit the MIBG website here.

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