It takes a village to raise a child and for several churches in north Nashville that statement could not ring more true. Community and faith leaders are stepping up to mentor and help.
“Sometimes just a word can change a kids life,” Pastor Herbert Lester said.
His church's summer academy program for young students is six weeks long and focuses on academics. “At third grade, if kids have not mastered certain things they will not master the rest of the grade level,” said Lester.
The hope is to produce more young women and men like Mondrell Cole. The 20 year old admits his path, at times, was a bit bumpy. “I got hooked around the wrong people,” he said. Thanks to his mentors and support from his mom, Teresa, Cole is now the first member of his family ever to attend college.
“I like to give credit to my mom because I always looked up to her. She showed me how to be responsible and she showed me how to be a young adult at the time,” Cole explained.
The rising junior at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee will soon transfer to Cumberland University. He's majoring in business, football is his passion but, “it all starts with grades first.”
The Whites Creek High School graduate now looks forward to helping the next generation find their path to success and while doing so he's cementing his impact on his Nashville community.
“College was an accomplishment but graduating is a milestone,” Cole said smiling.
If you're interested in learning more about summer academy and mentor programs, contact Pastor Lester at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church at 615-321-6121 or Reverend Enoch Fuzz at Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church at 615-977-6855.
