Growing Successful Kids: Products Of Our Village
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I once heard a famous orator say, “If a successful person tells you that they got to where they are all by themselves, then they were either delusional or weren’t as smart as they believed themselves to be.” It took a few minutes for me to digest his message and only one minute to decide that I agreed.
I am a product of a village. A village that included Ms. Kidd, my first grade teacher, who told me on more than one occasion that I was special, that I was gifted and that I had something to offer this world. A village that included Mr. Harris, my swim team coach, that told me that “practice equates to perfection”. A village that included a married couple, that neither knew my name or of my existence on this earth. Mr. and Mrs. Le Flore owned the neighborhood candy store, it was there, that I could see them working together each day, their love for each other and that their family unit was strong. They were an example of what I wished for myself one day.
All of these people made an undeniable impression in my life. They are just a few of the MANY mentors I have had over the years. Examples of people who cared, cultivated and catapulted my chance for success. They made a difference in my life.
Will I do the same for someone else? Will you? The choice is ours—–become a mentor for a youth in our community. You just might learn something too!
This post was written by Frank McCain, Vice President of Community Investment for United Way of Greater Greensboro. Frank oversees the division responsible for investing in community programs, including those that “Grow Successful Kids”. United Way is committed to mobilizing mentors to improve the future for disadvantaged youth. For more information on how you can get involved as a mentor, visit unitedwaygso.org/mentor.
