Molding Club Members into Mature Young Men

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley offers many programs specifically designed to build good character and leadership in our Club members. Recently, the young men of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley – Norwood Elementary School Site, participated in a speaker series that incorporated the Passport to Manhood curriculum. This program encourages boys ages 8 – 14 to develop and mature into young men in a targeted effort to engage members in discussion activities that reinforce character, leadership, and positive behavior. The speaker series ran from April through May, and featured five distinguished members of the Knoxville community, presenting on various topics, which included male stereotypes and understanding goals and purpose in society; healthy lifestyles and self-esteem; relationships with women and family structures; careers and employment; diversity; and cooperation, conflict, and authority. Each speaker shared their background and the role that they play in the community. They then applied the principles of the topic within their speech to help build up our young men.

We would like to thank the following individuals for giving their time and talents to work with our young men.

• Tommy Smith – Vice Mayor & City Council Member
• Dr. Charles Lomax, Jr. – President & CEO of Knoxville Area Urban League and Pastor
• Mateo Francisco Andres – Real Estate Consultant
• Greg Mackay – Former Administrator of Elections & Real Estate Broker
• Matt Parnell – Vice President, Operations of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley