By Kendra Bryant
AFRO Intern
Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to tour two historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along with historical monuments and museums.
“It bothers me that Washington, D.C. is so close, but many of our young men have never been to these sites,” said founder and director of Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood, Cameron Miles. “For that reason, I felt it was important that we took this trip.”
For many of the teens, the trip with the program was their first time traveling ever or in quite some time. Fifteen-year-old Ryan Thomas was a first-time traveler with the program.
“I haven’t been to D.C. in a long time— since I was seven or nine,” said Thomas. “I liked it.”
Adding trips to the program’s itinerary isn’t just for fun. The tours serve as a teaching moment for the teens.
“During the trip, we went out to eat at restaurants, so we could teach them about etiquette,” said Miles. “We answered questions on what forks you use and what to do with your napkin. Do you ball it up and put it in your pocket while eating? Or do you fold it out on your lap so that it catches crumbs?”
The teens visited historical landmarks, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
“I loved the Black History Museum,” said Thomas. “It was nice to see my history.”
The teens also traveled to the historically Black institutions of Bowie State University and Howard University.
“I believe that having the young men in environments of higher learning may just make them want to go to college,” said Miles. “I want their minds to be like sponges and soak it all up, so they can do great things. I don’t want them to be a statistic.”
Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood has toured several other universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Duke, Syracuse, Columbia, Hampton University and more.
“Although I am hopeful that they will consider an opportunity at an HBCU…we don’t only go to HBCUs because I want them to be exposed to all kinds of learning opportunities– including predominantly White institutions (PWIs).”
A West Baltimore native, Miles started the program 29 years ago after his time in the service. He was troubled by the disruptive behavior among teenagers while working at the Department of Social Services.
“I just remember seeing young people coming in and out of the building, fighting, cursing, disrespecting workers and causing a lot of disruption,” said Miles.
He was later approved for a mentoring program, working with five young men and meeting every first and last Saturday at Coppin State University. The program now meets at the New Shiloh Family Life Center Complex.
“Mentors such as New Shiloh’s former and late pastor, Harold A. Carter, Sr., taught me a lot,” said Miles. “Just watching people, watching how they move, watching how they speak. You want to emulate yourself after people who are movers and shakers and are just doing positive things.”
With some of the males being raised by a single mother, grandmother, or aunt, Miles serves as a mentor and father figure to the young men and boys in his program.
“I like Mr. Miles, he’s very inspiring,” said Thomas. “He cares.”
Mentoring Male Teens assists students ages 8-18 in school work, second language teaching, social skills. The mentors also attend local sporting events and field trips with their mentees.
“At first, I wasn’t excited to be in the program. I don’t really like social things,” said Thomas. “But since being in the program, I’ve been more social. It gives me a reason to go outside. I love the field trips and my friends. It’s good to meet a lot of people who can help me with things for later in life.”
Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood is hosting a summer STEM program at the New Shiloh Baptist Church from July 7 to August 8. Applications are currently open to young men ages 8-18.
Great Job Kendra Bryant & the Team @ AFRO American Newspapers Source link for sharing this story.
