New YMCA Program Inspiring Futures for Young Males of Color (VIDEO & PHOTOS)
Two years ago, County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council accepted President Obama’s challenge to help close opportunity gaps for young men of color. Nearly $20,000 is now being spent to help black and Latino youth through a new mentoring program operated by the YMCA’s Youth & Family Services Branch. MyMCMedia’s Phyllis Armstrong met one of the mentors and his young protégé at the Germantown Library.
Mentor Alvin Williams is a business consultant who has been a volunteer mentor for more than a decade. The Y’s Youth & Family Services Branch is seeking more professionals and community leaders willing to devote at least one hour a week for one year. Training and support are provided for mentors who clear background checks.
About Phyllis Armstrong
Phyllis Armstrong is a multimedia journalist with more than 30 years of experience in writing, reporting and broadcasting. She covered a wide range of news interests and issues as a general assignment reporter for WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C. from 1984 to 2009. Phyllis has continued to produce feature stories about local restaurants, culinary professionals and minority achievers for several online publications. Cooking, reading and Tai Chi are among are favorite things to do.
Thank you, Ms. Armstrong for highlighting Terry and Alvin’s relationship and YMCA, Youth & Family Services’ role in supporting it. Mentoring is a powerful way caring adults can make a lasting positive impact in the lives of young people. I encourage adults who may be wondering if they could make a difference to stop wondering, get off the sidelines and get involved! Best wishes to Terry and Alvin, kudos to YFS, and thanks again Ms. Armstrong!
Thank you for your kind remarks. I agree that mentors can make a difference in the lives of young people. It was truly a joy to tell Terry and Alvin’s story and let people know about the YMCA’s Youth & Family Services program. The Y has other mentoring programs, so anyone who is interested should contact the organization in Silver Spring.