BELL DONATION UNVEILING AT NORTH CENTRAL

from VIP Clarksville Magazine | Men of Influence Issue

by Sixteen Media - VIP Clarksville Magazine, Clarksville Business Journal & VIP Health & Beauty

FORT CAMPBELL SPOUSES’ CLUB AWARD

Tamela Taliento, Doug Englen & David Galik

Bell Donation Unveiling

AT NORTH CENTRAL INSTITUE

Story & Photography by Tony Centonze

North Central Institute recently announced the donation, by Bell Helicopter, of a Bell 407 Fire K helicopter that will be used in the school’s aviation maintenance training program.

Tamela Taliento, president of NCI, addressed the crowd and spoke about the history of the institute. She also expressed her gratitude to Bell for the generous gift.

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, Doug Englen and Bell’s David Galik also took time at the podium to talk about NCI’s program, and the school’s reputation for consistently producing high-quality aviation maintenance technicians to staff the industry.

Paul Turner & Greg Johnson Tina & Doug Englen Wes Cunningham, Tamela Taliento & Mike Rainey Willie Morris & DeMarcus Morris

Buck Dellinger, Mark Holleman & Mayor Joe Pitts Paul Turner Sara Golden & Ashley Mynatt

Don Hunt & Charlie Koon Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts Catherine Bertoldi, Tamela Taliento, Norman Quirion,

GIVE | CARE | SHARE Young Kings Mentorship Program

For local kids who aren’t involved in athletics or academics through their schools, there seems to be a gap in Clarksville-Montgomery County’s offerings for programs aimed at helping youth develop the life skills that can’t be taught in a classroom. Well, for young boys in particular, Ebony Parsons has come up with a solution: the Young Kings Mentorship Program. The program is free to attend, and designed for school-age boys to provide both fellowship between members and mentorship from adults in the community who visit and talk with the boys regarding those life skills.

For Parsons, who is a full-time entrepreneur and mother of three, the organization filled a gap that she was experiencing within her own family. “My sister Victoria Parsons and I started the organization because we’re single moms raising boys. Honestly, we didn’t have fathers in the picture, so we wanted to have an organization that would bring them together with men that they could talk to, and to also form a brotherhood between boys who are similar,” Parsons said.

One mentor, Allen Bragg, got involved about two years ago after seeing an event that the mentorship program shared online. “I went to that event and saw the impact and potential that it could have, and so I immediately told Ms. Ebony that I wanted to be a part of it,” Bragg said. “We’re like brothers and sisters, and we’ve connected. My son is in the program as well, even though my wife and I are heavily involved, and it’s important to have him involved as well. My son may learn something from somebody else that he may not receive from me because that’s just how teenagers are.”

Parsons said getting mentors involved on a full-time basis really changed their method of getting young men engaged. “We started meeting mentors like Mr. Allen, and they changed our whole thought process. They thought it should be for more than just boys with single parents, and the mentors started bringing their boys too,” Parsons continued. From there, the program expanded to include any and all school-age boys who might benefit. There are currently three full-time mentors that are part of the program, and they meet monthly with the boys.

The topic of the month’s meeting normally covers a subject that the mentors think would benefit the group. Participants are also able to share what topics they want to learn about, and that’s incorporated into the program’s future meetings. “It’s not every month that we meet and there’s a subject that we discuss. Sometimes we paint, and sometimes we cook,” Parsons added. This allows the boys to explore their interests, find new ones, and helps them become more well-rounded. They’ve had a mechanic come and show the boys how to change the oil in a vehicle; a fashion designer come to talk about style and coordinating outfits; a financial adviser to discuss checking and savings accounts; and even a personal trainer to teach them about fitness. “We want someone eventually to come in and talk about music. There’s so many life-learning subjects where they can have fun, but still learn at the same time. There’s no limit on what we can do, and we welcome any kind of feedback on what subject to do next,” Parsons said. Program participants also volunteer at a local nursing home, and it’s a requirement that they volunteer in the community throughout the year. Sometimes, the boys will bake cookies and take them to the nursing home. Last year, they made Christmas cards, and gathered gifts in collaboration with a local daycare. The mentorship also has a summer camp coming up, and Parsons said the program is going to work with the Humane Society of Montgomery County to build a doghouse. “Through the volunteering, we’re also teaching the boys how to give back. Your efforts are never too small, you’re never too old, and you can never say you don’t have enough money because you can give in service as well,” Parsons said.

In May, the program held its first annual scholarship and award ceremony. Thanks to the generosity of one mentee’s parent who donated the funds to cover the trophies, Parsons and the mentors were able to celebrate the boys’ achievements over the year. “Seeing their gratitude coming up to receive those awards — we gave them medallions to put over their heads — and they got certificates.” The boys received awards like Best Artist, Most Creative, and Best Personality. Some awards were based on the amount of volunteer work the boys did over the year. They also took the Oath of the Young Kings in front of their families, and some received college scholarships.

But in order for the mentorship program to continue, Parsons and Bragg said they need sponsors and mentors from the community. “We are looking for mentors. We want people to join us — dedicated people that are willing to help us,” Parsons said. “And along with trying to run a program, we need financial support. We’re looking for sponsorships and funds,” Bragg added. Every time the program meets, there is a meal served and currently the program has about 20 members that show up to every meeting. Parsons, Bragg, and the other organizers currently cover those expenses out of pocket.

All school-age boys are welcome to attend the free mentorship program, which is hosted from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month at Emmanuel Family Life Center at 303 Fairview Lane in Clarksville. Those interested may sign up for orientation, but Parsons encourages anyone that’s interested to just stop by and check out the program first.

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