Growing Kings is looking for mentors to help raise the next generation of men.

Magic City Momma recently spoke with the organization’s communications coordinator De’Eria Wimbley about the 100 Mentors in 100 Days campaign.

Tell me about your 100 Mentors in 100 Days initiative.
On June 19 we launched our 100 Mentors in 100 Days campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to recruit volunteer mentors for our school-based mentoring program, Journey of a King. Based on previous year’s campaigns, we are on track to reach our goal of 100 mentors again this year. Currently we only provide school programming, so we take the summer months to focus on preparation for the upcoming school year, and part of that includes recruiting enough mentors to help facilitate  our Journey of a King program. The campaign is set to last until September 27.

Why was Growing Kings started?
Growing Kings is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in direct response to the alarming number of adolescent males failing in various aspects of their lives. We operate with a mission to encourage and facilitate the critical thinking and positive attitudes of underserved male youth through systematic and targeted enrichment, research, and advocacy.

Who is eligible to be a mentor and what can they expect?
Any male who is 18 years or older is eligible to become a mentor. Each mentor is required to attend an orientation training prior to their engagement with our students. Through this training, mentors are trained to implement classroom-based enrichment and individualized instruction. While our program mentors are all men, we have volunteer opportunities for women.

Who is eligible to be a mentee and what can they expect?
Program participants are referred to us by school faculty and staff based on the students’ in-school behavioral data, grades, and standardized test results. A mentee can expect a strong male influence in their lives. This individual will be a role model imparting wisdom and knowledge into their lives. Currently, the Journey of a King is in two continuums based on the Parker and Carver feed patterns. These patterns include:

• Parker High School
  • Wilkerson Middle School
  • Washington K–8 School
  • Tuggle Elementary School
  • Hemphill Elementary School
  • Washington K–8 School
• Carver High School
  • Hudson K–8 School
  • Inglenook K–8 School
  • Lewis Elementary School

What do you want boys to learn from being a part of Growing Kings?
Growing Kings serves to support young buys to become strong men. The organization believes that the achievement gap that exists in the lives of disadvantaged male youth can be bridged through inclusion of positive male role models. Growing Kings is confident in its abilities to produce generations of men of high character and integrity, who are poised to be the needed leaders within their communities.

If men are interested in serving as mentors, what do they need to do?
Males, age 18 and older, interested in becoming a mentor can sign up at www.growingkings.org/100in100.

If boys are interested in being mentored, what do they need to do?
Students are referred to the Journey of a Kings curricula by faculty and administration from any one of the feeder pattern schools. However, if your child does not attend one of the previously mentioned schools and you would still like to find him a mentor, please send us an inquiry at [email protected].

What advice do you have for moms who are raising sons?
Set and hold high expectations for their sons. By doing this, they will ensure accountability throughout their lives. Hold a crown above their head that you expect them to grow tall enough to wear.

What’s next for Growing Kings?
As the school year approaches, we are looking forward to engaging with our students and continuing to implement the Growing Kings curriculum.

Do you have anything you would like to add?
Although the 100 Mentors in 100 Days campaign will end on September 27, there will still be an opportunity to sign up as a mentor throughout the school year.

To learn more about Growing Kings, visit the website or connect with them on Snapchat (@growingkings), Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.