CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. -- A new program in Citrus County is working to boost the self esteem of students and remind them that they are loved.
- Education Foundation creates Men Building Men program
- Goal is to work with students, make them feel loved
- Want to take part? Call 352-726-1931 ext. 2240
After noticing recent violence from young people across the United States, including school shootings, the Citrus County Education Foundation wanted to do something to have a positive impact on students in the county.
After speaking with experts, they noticed a trend with troubled youth.
"It is one of the main things that we have seen when gathering this data that it can all be traced back to single family homes, specifically fatherless homes," Guidance and Mental Health Counselor Becky Caskey said.
That's why they've created the MBM Program, or Men Building Men, which will pair men in the community with high school aged male students. The pairs will meet weekly for lunch provided for free by local restaurants thanks to Wells Fargo.
"If these students know that we as a community care about them as we as a community, build them up together, they know they are loved and that changes a child's life," Shaunda Burdelle, Citrus County Education Foundation Executive Director, said.
As a former School Resource Officer, Sgt. Cregg Dalton has seen the need in the county first hand. He has also served as a mentor in the past and says the effects of that relationship can be felt throughout both of the participant's lives.
"I still have good working relationships with the students to this day. I can think of every student right now -- it's funny it's kind of like a flashback that goes in my head -- I can see them all in college right now playing college sports, playing pro sports, you know, out in the career fields raising families and it's a big deal," Dalton said.
While they are working to pair male students with mentors right now, they hope to start a similar program for teen girls soon.
The education foundation says they have eight male mentors right now but are in need of many more. You can contact them at 352-726-1931 ext. 2240.