Mentoring program celebrates 13th year of existence in Alachua County
Young men involved with the 13th edition of the Manhood Youth Development Program were honored and received words of wisdom during a ceremony on Sunday.
Held at Santa Fe College’s Blount Center in downtown Gainseville, the theme was "Past, Present and Future: From Boys to Men."
"We needed to reach back to help these young men," said Charlie Jackson, founder of the foundation that is affiliated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
The program was created to give male youth the physical, mental and educational support they need to succeed, Jackson said.
The young men celebrated were James Freeman, Kyle Cheesborough, Aiden Dorsey, Emanuel Harmon, Elijah Harmon, Elijah Johnson, Zephaniah Sheppard, Ky'el Rowe, Brian Dykes, Charles Smith Jr. and Jayce Neal.
Through his research, Jackson said he found most of the behavioral problems he witness with male youth such as suspensions, arrests and dropping out of high school primarily stem from the absence of fathers in homes.
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"When you have support from the parents, you will remedy a lot of the problems," Jackson said. "This is a home problem. I'm very proud to have the opportunity to be a part of the development of these young men.
"There will be roadblocks in life and they provide you with a learning opportunity by coming up with an alternative to getting things done. We're not going to let nothing hinder them from getting exposure."
Temarius Sheppard, Jackson’s nephew, supports the program by being a chaperone and mentor.
Sheppard and each participant gave a brief explanation of the events they were part of this past year.
They visited historic locations in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, Memphis and Camp Blanding in Starke.
"It was a soul changing experience," Sheppard said. “They were grateful and I was grateful to be a part of it. Being able to be in the spaces allowed the young men to be present to where history happened."
Felicia OdiorAgabi, mother of James Freeman, said Jackson is a blessing to the boys and the community.
Her son lost his father this year and the male support and program has helped him get through the grief, she said.
"The mentorship is very important," OdiorAgabi said. "Having people he can talk to is a blessing to have. He [Jackson] is very dedicated and he has a heart for the children."
Freeman started the program when he was in the fifth grade at Caring and Sharing Learning School and will be entering the 8th grade in the fall, OdiorAgabi said.
"The program helped my son blossom and it taught him public speaking and self-worth," OdiorAgabi said.
The foundation epitomizes the essence of the popular saying “It takes a village to raise a child,” said Pastor Johnny Jones of Fountain of Life Church, who served as master of ceremony during the event.
"When you are a part of this program, it does not mean to be dedicated to one child," Jones said. “You are a part of the village. We are cheering for you."
A panel of men from different generations gave advice and shared life lessons with members of the program.
The panelists were Al Oliver, a retiree who lives in Lake City; Davin Woody of Bosshardt Reality; Malcolm Kiner, COO of Gainesville Housing Authority; Christopher Morgan and Nyquan Morris-Hooks.
Morgan and Morris-Hooks are past participants of the program.
Morris-Hooks is a junior at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville majoring in biology and Morgan attends Santa Fe College and will be transferring to Florida A&M University in Tallahassee to study journalism.
Members of the program were advised not to give in to temptation, be leaders, make sound decisions and make a difference in the world.
"Prepare yourself by getting an education or by getting a trade, and seek to make a difference in this world while you're here," Oliver said.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Manhood Youth Development Program celebrates its 13th year in G'ville
