Award-winning male mentoring program seeks support

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – A local organization is making a difference one young man at a time.

Launch for Life mentors young men in Central Virginia who may not have fathers or are in need of role models.

The organization was recently recognized as the 2024 Community Champion for Chesterfield County.

Despite their tremendous impact, they’re having trouble finding support, both financially and through volunteers.

The mentoring program is structured, focusing on different goals each year, like communication, professional skills, and even life in the workplace. Mentors learn to meet kids where they are.

“You come to this program and you have different mentors that you want to, be like you, your leader,” said Zy’Aire, a mentee in the junior program. “And they’re like father’s to you, but they’re like your mentor, like your best buddy. So I like to come this camp because when I was three years old, my, my father had left me, and it was a hard time for me.”

“It’s, like, really good,” said Sean, a mentee in the graduate program. “It’s like a mentoring program because you see stuff and we learn stuff.”

Launch board member Ken Jordan has been right where the kids are. He was 2 years old when his dad left.

“I actually, you know, embrace this journey. I have a lot of lived experiences, just not having a dad, at home in key moments in my life,” Jordan said. “And so, for many respects, I’m paying it forward. Right? I love to not only show up as a volunteer at events, kind of seeing the young men and mentors in action and seeing the young men sort of grow and thrive.”

He’s worked hard on the program, planning hikes and football games, outings to studios and canoeing on the James.

“So they take what they learn in our program back to their communities, and there becomes a ripple effect, to make their, their community stronger,” said Jordan

While many programs end at high school, Launch continues until men are 20 years old.

Those who have made the time to mentor say it’s life-changing for everyone involved.

“That was it, I was hooked,” Brian Tannenbaum, mentor and board member. “This was something I was going to absolutely get involved in. And it’s been amazing ever since. Watching the boys grow. Having the opportunity to see them from day one. Just find themselves, find new ways of looking at life. Seeing them come out of their shells is amazing.”

Click/tap here for more information on how to help Launch.

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