The boys mentoring program described in my article on Morse High breaks new ground for San Diego Unified — but it is not alone. Readers have written to let me know about several other local programs and I’ve also thrown in one program dear to me that needs male mentors of any color:
- Local activist and teacher Mshinda Nyofu mentions that Bell Middle School in San Diego Unified has started a program called the “Brotherhood” to support black male 8th graders, and is seeking mentors and guest speakers. The school is closed this week, but anyone interested in getting involved in the Brotherhood is welcome to e-mail Nyofu at ujimainstitute@yahoo.com or call him at 619.866.7996.
- Y-FRIENDz is a community-based mentoring program for children who have a parent or parents who are incarcerated. The program matches kids with mentors of the same gender, and has lacked enough male mentors to match many of its boys. I know personally of a family in which two girls have mentors but their younger brother does not. He has been waiting for a mentor for nearly a year.
- Boys to Men Mentoring Network, based in La Mesa, does retreats and links boys to adult mentors.
- The Mentoring Coalition of San Diego County includes a long list of mentoring programs on its website. Some of the information looks a little outdated, but this is a good starting point and shows the sheer variety of programs out there. There are programs specifically for Pacific Islander children, refugees, Jewish children, and foster kids, as well as programs focused on pregnancy prevention and even one centered around fishing.