Eastlake Male Youth Initiative, led by Reverend Kenneth Torrence, is a leadership and mentoring program for African-American boys aged 10 - 16. EMYI is a partnership between The Greater Piney Grove Community Development, Inc. and The Truth Teller Inc. organizations. This nine-month program exposes young men in our community to leadership, fitness, culture, and one-on-one mentoring. Reverend Torrence joins us this morning to discuss the program, which begins in October.
I ask how the program came into being, and Torrence speaks about founding a program under the auspices of his company, The Truth Tellers, Inc., which was so successful The Greater Piney Grove Community Development invested in the program so that he could expand the reach. The East Lake Male Youth Initiative was born. Participants from all over metro Atlanta are welcome and don't turn down any interested young boy.
He speaks about delinquency and violent crime statistics. His background as a lawyer and college professor made him passionate about reaching young boys and men with strong leadership and role models.
Torrence shares that the participants are exposed to one-on-one mentoring, cultural field trips, fitness workshops, and more. Torrence explains that the young participants' positive response keeps them motivated. He asks that the community support his efforts by volunteering to mentor or assist in the programming. Donations are also welcomed.
For more information on The East Lake Male Youth Initiative.
For more information on Reverend Kenneth Torrence