Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/27198
FTCC’s Mighty Male Mentoring Program by DR. DESANDRA WASHINGTON The Mighty Male Mentoring Program (3MP) is a goal-oriented program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of minority males (also known as mentees) at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). The 3MP seeks to increase completion of developmental and curriculum courses, re- tention, graduation rates, and transfer to a UNC four-year institution. To accomplish this, the program increases exposure to academic and financial aid advising and to educational, professional, and civic opportunities. It’s uncontroverted that minority males face many personal challenges and ob- stacles when it comes to college education-program admittance, financial resourc- es, job skills, job placement, stereotypes, low grade point averages, low Accuplacer test scores, and a sense of future direction, to name a few. This is where the 3M Program steps in with mentors and academic advising. Advising students in the Mighty Male Mentoring Program at FTCC involves developing a more personal relationship between student and advisor/mentor. Regular contact (at least twice a month) allows the student to bond and identify with his mentor. The Mighty Male Mentoring Program (3MP) is a goal- oriented program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of minority males. Larry Vick, a 3MP mentor/criminal justice instructor, notes that “As college faculty and staff members, we’re often called upon to lend our time, effort, and expertise to various projects. These projects are often worthwhile, but sometimes we’re left to wonder if our investments have achieved the sought-after results. For those involved with the Mighty Male Mentoring Program, or 3M, as it’s called, the answer is clear. The 3M Program is more than just worthwhile – it’s a game changer. That’s because its benefits are permanent. By matching students who have demonstrated a desire to succeed with dedicated faculty and staff members who serve as mentors, relationships are forged that create win-win situations. Not only do the mentees reap tremendous rewards, but the mentors benefit greatly.” The process begins with potential mentees filling out an application that me- morializes their commitment to improve both as students and as male members of their communities. Upon acceptance, the mentees complete a contract with their mentors wherein they attest to a plan of action. Mentors are pre-screened to identi- fy their areas of expertise and level of commitment. To ensure program participants stay motivated, twice monthly plenary meetings are scheduled to augment any individual meetings between mentor and mentee. In addition, there are numerous activities available that reinforce the program’s mission, purpose, and expectations. FTCC’s 3M Program is still in its infancy, but significant strides have been made under the leadership of Theodore Thomas, James Steadman, and Bryant Youngblood. Their efforts have been supported by a group of dedicated vol- unteer mentors. Equally encouraging has been the caliber of the mentees who have been participating. Recently, there have been trips planned to Tarboro and Winston-Salem to engage in 3M leadership conferences and mentor training. Mentees are also scheduled to participate in such hands-on activities as mentoring eighth graders from the Ramsey Street Alternative School as part of the Future Seekers Career Exploration Project. Please take the time to speak with members of the 3M Program when you see them in your neighborhoods performing com- munity service. They’ll be the young men with looks of determination and purpose, as well as a smile. DR. DESANDRA WASHINGTON, FTCC Director of Counseling Services, Con- tributing Writer. COMMENTS? editor@ upandcomingweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Womack Army Medical Center is proud to announce the opening of two community-based clinics on March 10. Hope Mills Medical Home Millstone Town Center, Hope Mills Fayetteville Medical Home Clinic Woodland Center, Raeford Rd., Fayetteville The clinics, part of a new ini a ve to bring care into the community, are open to ac ve-duty family members who are currently enrolled in TRICARE Prime or Network. For more information, please call 910-643-2264. Womack Army Medical Center “Committed to those we serve” Congratulations! Eric Nobles, CFP President and Founder of Nobles Financial Planning proudly announces that David M. Pound, CFP, MTIM has been named a partner. p David Pound Nob es ou Eric Nobles Nobles Pound Financial Planning The new rm will be known as ou d ncia 1315 Ft. Bragg Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28305 910-323-9195 MARCH 16-22, 2011 UCW 19 ancial Planning 1213 Culbreth Dr.. Wilmington, NC 28405 910-509-7102 Securities and Advisory Services Offered through Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC