In college, I was a mentor six months out of the year for students at Roberto Clemente High School in Humboldt Park, Chicago. I used visual art as a medium to empower and educate teenagers. I collaborated with other artists, mentoring students about art and mural painting, listening to stories about their day and the latest Lil Wayne song. I remember last Father's Day, during my final weeks at Roberto Clemente before moving to LA, one of my student's was dreading that Sunday.
She had no dad at home.
Father's Day can be troublesome for youth lacking a consistent, supportive adult figure. As a youth mentor to high schoolers, I was sometimes all they had. I listened, responded, empowered, and helped teenagers apply for college and grants. We also relaxed and talked issues out over painting and poetry.
Fundraising for sustaining healthy after school programs and hiring new mentors is crucial for these types of organizations. Which is why youth mentoring organization, Boys to Men (not to be confused with Motown Philly-Boys II Men), is holding a donation drive for the support of new mentor programs in honor of Fathers Day. When you donate, you have the option of sending your dad a special Father's Day card right from their NationBuilder donation page. Check out their video to learn more:
Father's Day is a time to give thanks to those sometimes crazy and unique but mostly lovable dad's we have out there; but it's also an opportunity to support those that aren't so fortunate.
Here's to a happy Father's Day to all you dads and supportive mentors out there.
