This week, the Arlington Police Department is launching a program that provides a new resource for the motivation and mentorship of young men. The Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program is presently looking for appropriate male leaders to become mentors and provide guidance to African American and Hispanic young men.
The idea behind Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program began for Lieutenant Tarrick McGuire when he was a young patrol officer and with one particular interaction with a young man he was arresting. While transporting the man to jail, then-Officer McGuire learned that the man had a pregnant girlfriend. He talked to the young man about his future and potential. Although it did not appear that his message was received, sometime later the man approached Officer McGuire and told him that he had a job, re-enrolled in school and was caring for his newborn girl.
"You never know when a few words of encouragement can positively influence someone's life," said Lieutenant McGuire, the MAY Program director. "Simply by talking to this young man and explaining the possibilities available to him, he changed course and took responsibility for his life."
With the MAY Program, the Arlington Police Department is positioning the right kind of male leadership in front of young men to provide a positive influence. Selected mentors will develop and teach the young men in the MAY Program the life skills that will help them succeed. The mentors will provide interactive workshops on leadership, team building, education and career development. Mentors must be willing to make a deliberate 18-month commitment and be available for mentor training.
"Our greatest potential resource is our youth," said Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson. "By investing time in young men who are at a pivotal point in their lives and deciding which path to take, we have the best opportunity to identify and influence their talents."
At the core of the MAY Program is a strategic partnership with the Arlington Independent School District to provide dedicated mentoring opportunities for young men in the seventh and eighth grade. The pilot program phase will accept 10 young men and begin in October 2015 with referrals coming from the AISD. At this point, the area of focus will include east Arlington and Workman Junior High School.
"Arlington has a wealth of male leadership in the community and classrooms," said AISD Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos. "Through the Mentoring Arlington Youth Program we will soon be able to pair young men with the guidance that will help them meet their full potential."
Additional support for the MAY Program comes from the Arlington Municipal Court, and community and religious leaders. The MAY Program furthers previous partnerships with AISD and other Arlington organizations, such as our Hometown Recruiting Program that develops the education of youngsters interested in a career in law enforcement.
To learn more about the MAY Program, click here.
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