Norma Joy Barnes, founder and president of the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, talks about the non-profit’s Priority Male Institute and its Class of 2014.
Q: How many participants and mentors were there?
A: Of 15, one dropped out after the first class. One had to drop out after six weeks because he was homeless, but we were able to guarantee him space at a homeless shelter, refer him for employment with a hotel and provide funds for a two-week MARTA card and petty cash. He is doing well. Fourteen young men graduated from the Institute; three mentors worked with the students during the 12-week Institute.
Q: What happens next?
A: Fourteen mentors will be assigned to work one-on-one with each graduate for one year. The council will continue to work with graduates for a one-year period. In addition to being assigned mentors, graduates are required to report to us monthly to track their progress. The council will provide free tutoring to graduates who need to obtain GEDs, and funding to pay for GED testing.
Q: What’s a refrain you often hear from graduates?
A: One consistent statement made by graduates of all three Institutes is: "The Institutechanged my life." The young men openly share how their attitudes and behavior have changed for the better as a result of their Institute experience. They are now thinking about their futures, seeking employment, pursuing further training and education and making positive choices. One member of the Class of 2011 was referred to the Year Up Atlanta program and feels that the Institute prepared him to successfully complete that program. This graduate is now gainfully employed and participated in the 2014 graduation and rite of passage. Another member of the Class of 2011 enrolled in the U.S. Job Corps after graduation. He completed his Job Corps training and is currently employed by a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta. He also participated in the 2014 graduation ceremony. Mentors continue to work with both of these graduates.
Q: It must be gratifying to share success stories.
A: Of course, "success" is relative. One 2011 graduate, who learned about the program while incarcerated, has not been involved in criminal activity since graduation. Although he has been faced with the reality of employers who are not willing to hire ex-offenders, our goal is to help him to obtain gainful employment.
Q: What’s next for the Class of 2014?
A: Five have obtained employment, and seven others are applying for employment with our partners. At least 10 have been matched with mentors, who will meet them at our mentor/mentee luncheon this Saturday. One is being tutored by our staff for the GED examination and plans to enroll in culinary training after obtaining his GED; and one has applied for a technical training program that we identified for him. Our goal is to identify available positions for all graduates who are seeking employment.
