At Workman Junior High School, the community gathered Thursday to welcome a new class of Mentoring Arlington Youth seventh-graders.
Arlington police officers, AISD teachers and community members who are serving as mentors met their mentees for the first time during the MAY Program kick off in the school's library.
Participants were joined by Police Chief Will Johnson, Municipal Court Judge Stewart Milner, Workman Junior High School principal Inelda Acosta, staff and family members. Ten young males have been selected to begin their journey through a program that includes workshops on manhood, leadership and service.
The Arlington Independent School District, Arlington Municipal Court and Arlington Police Foundation have returned as strategic partners for Class #2.
"What we're seeing is a community coming together to help students reach their highest potential,"said, Lt. Tarrick McGuire, founder and executive director of the MAY Program.
In his opening remarks, Chief Johnson talked about the importance of mentoring.
"In today's very complex and often highly competitive world, having a mentor can mean the difference between success and failure,"he said. "A mentor is someone in your life who demonstrates how much they care."
Judge Stewart Milner described mentors as "wise guides"though the MAY program and life.
The MAY program started as a pilot in 2015 and has been revised to include a 12-month life skills curriculum. The class schedule includes a variety of workshops including college readiness with UT Arlington's TRIO program, team building and conflict management with Camp Thurman and a Dress for Success session at the Man's Shop in downtown Arlington.
To learn more about the MAY program, click here.
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