AIR DATE JANUARY 27, 2022
Title: Mentorship Programs in Central Florida
Emily learns about mentoring programs available in central Florida and the services they provide.
Guests and Locations
Mentoring & Motivating Youth of America, Inc. (MMYA), Founder/CEO – Stan Morris
Credible Messengers, Mentor – Audra Fontañez
Las Semillas, Founder/CEO – Seven Charlestin
Mentoring and Motivating the Youth of Central Florida
The children of today are tomorrow’s future. Mentoring and motivating the youth of Central Florida (and the globe) is key to their personal growth. But more importantly, the impact we leave on young people will shape how they create a world for the next generation, and so on.
Join me as I hear from Stan Morris (co-founder of Mentoring & Motivating Youth of America), Audra Saldaña (Central Florida mentor), and Seven Charlestin (credible messenger).
Mentoring and Motivating the Youth of America
Mentoring & Motivating Youth of America, Inc. was founded over 20 years ago with a vision of merging business and community to inspire hope in at-risk youth.
“The area that we work in is with truly at-risk kids, kids that have been involved with the Department of Juvenile Justice, kids that have been taken away from their home for whatever reasons,” Stan explains.
Their mentors assess where the kid’s needs are being met and where they fall short. From there, the mentors will fill in the gaps where needed most. Sometimes it’s simple encouragement that makes the most significant difference in children.
If you do not have a felony on your record and would like to become a mentor in Central Florida, just give Stan Morris a call at 321-662-7658. He will sit down with you and have a conversation to see how you can fit into their community youth mentor program.
Credible Messengers Mentorship
Credible Messengers is a movement that focuses on changing the minds of at-risk youth.
Audra, a mentor for the movement, explains what Credible Messengers is about, “It’s just basically guiding those kids that are headed in the wrong direction. We’re trying to prevent children, youth, from ending up incarcerated. We’re trying to avoid that altogether.”
Children and mentors connect in different ways, but it all goes back to community. Credible Messengers is also a “wraparound” program, which reassures youth that their mentor is a concrete part of their life. Becoming a mentor means showing up 24/7 with authenticity and having a genuine passion for changing kids’ lives.
The Credible Messenger movement is always in need of donations and volunteers. You can support at-risk youth by donating to their cause, becoming a mentor, or both.
Las Semillas Community Program
Seven Charlestin is another credible messenger who has utilized his youth mentorship training to create community-building opportunities through arts and education. He founded the Las Semillas after-school program in Pine Hills, Florida.
Las Semillas includes everything from job training programs to a food pantry, community garden, after-school programs Monday through Thursday, and free activities. Kids can enjoy art, yoga, football, cheerleading, and boxing programs too.
There are always opportunities for involvement and volunteering.
“We need more people to help with the community garden. We need more people to help mentor. We need more people to help with after-school programming. We need more people for the community events and, you know, the list goes on,” Seven says.
Get involved by visiting their website and for more information.
