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/378199
16 UCW SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Care for Kids Golf Tournament for Cypress Lakes Golf Course September 18, 2014 11:30 a.m. Check In 12:30 Shotgun Start Come Play for the Children 4 Player Team w/Hole Sponsorship $475.00 4 Player Team $400.00 Individual Player $100.00 For more information call Bruce Brown; 485-2672 Jason Poole; 323-3600 Mark Rice; 484-6171 Make checks payable to: Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville Mail to: TRP CPA's 2405 Robeson St. Fayetteville, NC 28304 Special thanks to Up & Coming Weekly The Mighty Male Mentoring Program (3MP) is a goal-oriented program designed to support the educational and professional aspirations of minor- ity males (also known as mentees) at Fayetteville Technical Community College. 3MP seeks to increase completion of developmental and curriculum courses, retention, graduation rates and transfer to a UNC four-year institution. To accomplish this, the program increases exposure to aca- demic and financial aid advising and to educational, profes- sional and civic opportunities. It's uncontroverted that minority males face many personal challenges and obstacles when it comes to college education-program admittance, finan- cial resources, job skills, job placement, stereotypes, low grade point averages, low Accuplacer test scores and a sense of future direction. This is where the 3M Program steps in with mentors and aca- demic advising. Advising students in the Mighty Male Mentoring Program at FTCC includes bi- monthly meetings which identify some of the challenges and obstacles mentioned above in order to improve students' knowledge and decision-making skills as well as increase awareness and identify opportunities for active engagement. The bi-monthly meetings are also designed to increase students' team-building, com- munication and leadership skills. Mentoring students in the Mighty Male Mentoring Program at FTCC involves developing a more personal/ one-on-one relationship between stu- dent and advisor/mentor. Some of the mentor's duties include coaching stu- dents on a particular skill, facilitating growth by sharing knowledge, and chal- lenging students to take risks and move beyond their comfort zones. Regular contact (at least twice a month) allows students to bond and identify with their mentors. 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 per- manent. By match- ing students who have demonstrat- ed 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 memorializes their commitment to improve both as students and as male members of their communities. Upon acceptance, the mentees complete a con- tract with their mentors wherein they attest to a plan of action. Mentors are pre-screened to identify their areas of expertise and levels of commitment. To ensure program participants stay moti- vated, twice monthly plenary meetings are scheduled to augment any individual meetings between mentor and mentee. In addition, there are numerous activi- ties available to reinforce the program's mission, purpose, and expectations. FTCC's 3M Program continues to grow and hopes to make significant strides this school year. Efforts have been sup- ported by The Links, Inc., and a group of dedicated volunteer mentors. Equally encouraging has been the caliber of the mentees who have been participating. Please take the time to speak with members of the 3M Program when you see them in your neighborhoods per- forming community service. They'll be the young men with looks of determina- tion and purpose, as well as smiles. 3MP: Providing Encouragement for a Second Chance at New Beginnings by THEODORE THOMAS AND CORBETT BRUNTZ THEODORE THOMAS AND CORBETT BRUNTZ, Admission Counselors and 3MP Advisors at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Contributing Writers. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com. FTCC's Mighty Male Mentoring Program seeks to help young men succeed.