WDEF News 12

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Our series on Youth Violence continues with a look at the impact of mentoring on our youth. Studies suggest mentoring helps kids remain drug free, graduate from high school and become good citizens.

A local program called Pathways does its part and it's producing results.

David, "I'm glad that I got him as a mentor."

Ten year old David MCDaniel has a dad in prison, a mom who's no longer with us, and no one but Grandma at home.

David, "I got two brothers but one of them in jail and I don't know where the other one at and I got two sisters and I don't know where they at."

Life got lonely David or little D as everyone calls him.

David, "When I'm at home all alone I don't have nobody to play with so I be bored and I just wanted a big brother like Stephen."

Stephen and Little D got paired up in Pathways, a local program that matches mentors with youngsters 5 to 16 with a parent in prison.

Stephen, "I'm here just to spend time with him and to let him know that we can have fun. We can go do things. We can learn things and I really recommend it for anybody that has time."

The two look forward to meeting up every Sunday.

Yvette, "It's changed him probably I would say 85 percent of the change in his attitude."

Little D's aunt says the consistent attention from a male role model has improved his behavior too.

Yvette, "He knows this is mine and I don't have to share this with anybody else. He comes here just to get me and take me places and do things with me, so it's made just all the difference in the world for him and my mom."

Pathways creator, UTC Criminologist Dr. Shela Van Ness, says research revealed 95 hundred children in Hamilton County every year with a parent in prison.

Dr. Shela Van Ness, "If you imagine the family turmoil that this creates."

She says a mentor can tame the turmoil yielding positive results that help keep kids from heading down the wrong path.

Dr. Van Ness, "Children with wonderful parents can also end up in trouble and so the truth of the matter is this is a public issue at large. We really have to insulate our children by giving them as much as we possibly can to protect them from delinquency and crime."

Pathways has proven it's providing some protection. The program tracks academic and conduct progress of kids like Little D and gets pleasing results.

Wynne Clarke-Alexander, "If you care about anyone and you have family you know the impact of just having someone in your life who cares about what happens to you and takes time for you."

And perhaps what's most pleasing... the clear evidence written all over Little D's face.

David, "He's very important to me."

Pathways has room for 200 more kids and mentors. It needs local sponsors. A thousand dollars pays for one child for a year.

You can reach Pathways Program at 423-322-7019 or pathwaysprogram@hotmail.com [2]

Click here to find a mentoring program near you. [3]

Click here for Part One of Youth Violence Mentoring Our Youth. [4]

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