Mentoring Teen Males in the Hood helps thousands of Baltimore youth – WBAL TV Baltimore

In more than two decades, 3,200 young men have participated in Mentoring Teen Males in the Hood.Mentor Cameron Miles gets on the young men's nerves and makes them do pushups and read. It's all part of a mentor's dedication to turning boys into confident and responsible adults."If it is to be, it's up to me," is part of a mantra on being self-reliant. The young men are ages 8 to 18."At first, it was, like, 'What am I in here for?'" said peer leader Gershom Bossiwa.Many participants say they had the same initial reaction but got used to meeting on Saturdays at New Shiloh Baptist Church in west Baltimore. The church donates the space. Miles is the director of the mentoring program."I want them to be capable of standing on their own two feet," Miles said.An important component of the program is exercise. If participants fool around or get in trouble, they can expect to do pushups. The idea of the program is to broaden their expectations and horizons. "We always want to show them positive role models and what is possible," Miles said.Tutoring in math, reading and writing and recently, a cooking class, can be expected. There is a STEM camp in the summer and field trips to historic places in Baltimore and across the country that include tours of colleges and universities. "That was the biggest thing I take away: the exposure of getting out of Baltimore City and seeing the world is bigger than your neighborhood and street," said Dorrian Gross, a previous participant.Gross is now an IT technician, managing systems for embassies around the world. Other former participants say they also benefited. "I used to be shy and have a lot of anger. I didn't want to be bothered," said Shawn Harlee, who is now a home improvement construction worker.Harlee says the environment changed him. "Because if you're quiet, Mr. Miles will point you out (and say), 'Hey, talk.' It started making me open up more," Harlee said."You can feel (Miles') energy. When he talks to you, he wants the best for you, for what you're doing in your situation," said Malik Frazier, also known as DJ Cheubs."I don't want to paint a utopia. We have lost several to gun violence," Miles said.He said their obituaries keep him and his volunteers focused. "I call them kings, but I'm quick to remember they are children. They will remember our example, not our advice," Miles said.The program is also about coming back and giving back. In fact, one young man said it helped him think globally and led him from west Baltimore to the Peace Corps."The trajectory of my life increased significantly, especially coming from right off Pennsylvania Avenue," said Imhotep Simba.Simba recently returned home after spending two years working in Ecuador. He and other adult men come back to help mentor the younger guys.Donations help fund the activities. When the teens graduate from the program and move to college or trade school, they receive $2,000 toward their education.

In more than two decades, 3,200 young men have participated in Mentoring Teen Males in the Hood.

Mentor Cameron Miles gets on the young men's nerves and makes them do pushups and read. It's all part of a mentor's dedication to turning boys into confident and responsible adults.

"If it is to be, it's up to me," is part of a mantra on being self-reliant. The young men are ages 8 to 18.

"At first, it was, like, 'What am I in here for?'" said peer leader Gershom Bossiwa.

Many participants say they had the same initial reaction but got used to meeting on Saturdays at New Shiloh Baptist Church in west Baltimore. The church donates the space. Miles is the director of the mentoring program.

"I want them to be capable of standing on their own two feet," Miles said.

An important component of the program is exercise. If participants fool around or get in trouble, they can expect to do pushups. The idea of the program is to broaden their expectations and horizons.

"We always want to show them positive role models and what is possible," Miles said.

Tutoring in math, reading and writing and recently, a cooking class, can be expected. There is a STEM camp in the summer and field trips to historic places in Baltimore and across the country that include tours of colleges and universities.

"That was the biggest thing I take away: the exposure of getting out of Baltimore City and seeing the world is bigger than your neighborhood and street," said Dorrian Gross, a previous participant.

Gross is now an IT technician, managing systems for embassies around the world. Other former participants say they also benefited.

"I used to be shy and have a lot of anger. I didn't want to be bothered," said Shawn Harlee, who is now a home improvement construction worker.

Harlee says the environment changed him.

"Because if you're quiet, Mr. Miles will point you out (and say), 'Hey, talk.' It started making me open up more," Harlee said.

"You can feel (Miles') energy. When he talks to you, he wants the best for you, for what you're doing in your situation," said Malik Frazier, also known as DJ Cheubs.

"I don't want to paint a utopia. We have lost several to gun violence," Miles said.

He said their obituaries keep him and his volunteers focused.

"I call them kings, but I'm quick to remember they are children. They will remember our example, not our advice," Miles said.

The program is also about coming back and giving back. In fact, one young man said it helped him think globally and led him from west Baltimore to the Peace Corps.

"The trajectory of my life increased significantly, especially coming from right off Pennsylvania Avenue," said Imhotep Simba.

Simba recently returned home after spending two years working in Ecuador. He and other adult men come back to help mentor the younger guys.

Donations help fund the activities. When the teens graduate from the program and move to college or trade school, they receive $2,000 toward their education.

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Mentoring Teen Males in the Hood helps thousands of Baltimore youth - WBAL TV Baltimore