[xrp]

((ping))

[mcenedo]

bump

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Gentlemen, I just came up with a radical thought.

How many men are there on Free Republic?

Suppose we were to get hundreds, yea, thousands of male Freepers -- yes, black, white, yellow, I don't give a flip what color or race -- to take up the task of mentoring ONE BLACK YOUNG MAN A YEAR for the next 5 years?

What might that do for such young men, and what might the eventual political reverberations be?

Or am I simply crazy?

[sweetjane]

Sounds like a conservative "teach your children well" ping to me.

Let them know they are loved, show them what they can accomplish, tell them how to do it, let them know that they can transcend the upbringing that many of them (us) face, whatever color/race they happen to be.

To me, showing them how to do it and explaining why they should do it are key.

[mhking]

No, Luke, you aren't crazy.

We've moved into a new subdivision which is unique in that respect. The developer is a Christian organization, Wellstone Properties. Wellstone has made it's way for many years building and developing churches across the nation, and particularly in the south.

My subdivision, Mt. Gerizim Crest, is designed to become a community, not just a place to lay your head. From the beginning of the occupancy of the first homes to about two years after construction is completed, a minister - a chaplain if you will - is employed by Wellstone to help see to the needs of the residents, and to guide them in creating that community.

As a part of that process, the minister has gathered the men of the community together to build a mentoring program for the boys in the subdivision. He pointed out that while there are many nuclear families like mine here, there are others with single parent households. Households where a positive male image is needed. And if you can't find that close to home, where else would you find it?

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A cry in the black education wilderness

[Neets]

Thought this thread might interest you.

[optimistically_conservative]

Why African-American boys often fail in school

[Shark24]

As a mentor coming up on four years with two brothers (One 15 years old, half african-american. One 12 years old, white. Dads never been in picture. Mom in and out of prison so grandma is raising) let me make a few points. Mentoring can make a differance in the lives of "at risk" youth but the more important item is what is going on in their home life. The mentor can be a role model, validate the good choices the mentees make, provide inspiration and give them some positve life experiences they would not otherwise have but the daily love and discipline has to be there or the chances of mentoring making a differance are poor.
I try and alternate activities between fun, educational and work. They like doing the work as I pay them and it gives them some personal spending money. As I am a volunteer at my chuch with youth service projects, they have also helped with projects for other people in need. As the younger brother says "we get to have fun helping other peope".
Make sure you mentor through a qualified organization that covers the all the legal and insurance issues. They can also provide guidance if you are experiencing problems athough I've found my 5th grade educated immigrant father gave me all the guidance I've ever needed. Good luck