In the early years of the Boston Area Church League, it's founders Dr. Charles Steinberg and Frank Jordan realized that there was a need for professional assistance with the gang and violence occurring in Boston and surrounding areas.

   Mr. Jordan reached out to his dear friend, NFL Hall of Famer, Jim Brown, who was the founder of the Amer-i-Can program that had success in changing the lives of young men and women who participated in gangs or were convicted criminals and felons; giving them the means of becoming productive citizens.

    Tom Kershaw of CHEERS and Judge Milton L. Wright traveled to Los Angeles to meet Jim Brown in his home in the Hollywood Hills to discuss the possibility of him coming to Boston to share the background of the Amer-I- Can program.

   A weekend retreat was created with the help of the Red Sox Foundation, the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Area Church League and the Ron Burton Village. Young men who law enforcement had identified as hopeful candidates,  who would change their lives if given the proper opportunity, were bussed from Boston and surrounding areas, including Springfield, to the Ron Burton's Village.

   Under the leadership of the late State Representative, Ben Swann and Jim Brown, the young men attended classes in self-awareness, deescalating communication, and violence prevention. During the weekend the men were offered free haircuts.

   Upon arrival, Friday evening, they were treated to a hot dinner. During the Saturday conference they had meals, classes and exercise. On Sunday they had a really wholesome breakfast before going through a graduation ceremony for completing the weekend. The participants were greeted by Jim Brown, Dr. Charles Steinberg, Frank Jordan, Ben Swann, along with Ron Burton, Sr. (a famous New England Patriot football player) and given a certificate of completion.

   All of this occurred because the Boston Area Church League and Red Sox leadership realized that they had to think outside of the box in order to change lives for the better.