By Malcolm Norris, EB&A Realtor
I’ve been mentoring young men in some capacity since I was in my mid-20s. Believe it or not, I actually remain in touch with a fair amount of those young men to this very day and I’m grateful to say that there have been some success stories. One is part owner of a restaurant, a couple of others are doing incredible work in the film industry, another is a Morehouse grad and just got married a month and a half ago. The list goes on!
Showing the youth that you care will always make a difference, especially when they know you’re being yourself. So when I was approached about working with the IHS interns I didn’t even have to think about it. The Internship is a partnership between Integrity Home Solutions and Becompell. It’s an 8-week program for youth who live in Atlanta’s Westside that focuses on, Job Skills, Financial literacy, Social Awareness, and Mental/Spiritual development.⠀
Anyone that has a passion for youth will tell you that the life-receiving experience that takes place is a two-way street. Speaking personally, oftentimes I feel as though the youth inspire me more than I inspire them just by seeing their faces and the world that awaits them despite life’s inevitable challenges.
For nearly a month I spoke with these young men ranging in age from 12 to 18 about;
Budgeting
How to write checks
The importance of good credit
All while repeatedly and very intentionally tying those things into a larger picture that consisted of;
Community
Entrepreneurship
and Wealth Building.
They were intrigued, all of them. I didn’t want our time to be me talking and them listening, I desired dialogue and that’s exactly what they gave me. Through that dialogue, it was evident that a bond was being established.
With mentoring it never seems as though there’s enough time to share all that you desire to share. With that said, I do believe that if your words plant a seed or spark a fire in just one young man who may go on to plant a greater seed in the generation after him then that is a success.