Roll Models

This video was posted by Mr. Dante Jones the leader of our mentoring group for boys called Roll Models.   This is what he said when posting on Facebook Sunday evening after serving on the West End...

"From 3pm - 7pm (4 hours), I was able to see EVERYTHING he mentioned in this poem. From talking with God fearing Lincoln Court Kings, to a boxer training, to young girls not loving/respecting themselves, and "ball" players (both on the court and in the courts). But, 5 guys on bikes in a straight line got their attention..."Imagine" more. FYI, YES he curses and uses the N word... so do most of the young brothers I engage at the Frank Garrett. Should I shun them or be a "Roll Model" for them? I choose "B". What's funny (or not so funny) is seeing the older teens/ young 20 somethings get that look in their eye... wanting to ride the bikes, but not wanting to look "soft" in front of his homies.  "What's a young boy to do when he doesn't want to do wrong, but there's a lock on the right door?"

Here is a little information about Roll Models...

"Roll Models is a mentoring program that I thought up after realizing how much of my childhood years revolved around a bike. After my parents divorced, my dad bought us brand new dirt bikes (Predators) and we rode all around the city on them, teaching us life lessons that I was unable to recognize and appreciate until I got older. I learned brotherhood, responsibility, trust, strength, and will power (just to name a few). I guess one of the most memorable moments in my life was when my daughter got the opportunity to ride on the bike that taught me so much. It is something that I not only want to, but have to pass on to my daughter and the other children trying to figure out life, without having their father or mother present."

"Roller Skating I picked up about 5 years ago after watching "Roll, Bounce". I've been rolling and bouncing ever since. This also has taught me a lot about life. A skating rink has 360 degrees. There's a place to enter onto the floor and a place to leave the floor. There's music, flashing lights, and people of all ages and races trying to find their balance and their groove. You will need to stay balanced to stay on your feet and after awhile you will find your groove. And when you find your groove, allow no one or nothing to interrupt it. Oh, and the falling! You WILL fall and sometimes you WILL fall hard...but falling is what makes you better, stronger, and more balanced! You learn on the way down and you learn on the way back up, if you're willing to see it that way. Your being able to get up despite the pain is what helps you surpass any obstacle placed in your way."

A Roll Model is someone that:

Respects themselves, their family, and the world around them (including everything in it)
Obediently follows the principles that guide their lives
Leads by modeling the behavior they wish to see in others
Loves everyone and everything purely and unconditionally

Who can be a Roll Model?

Youth ages 8 to 18 who possess or desire to possess the following values, or as we like to call them...

“R.I.C.H.E.S”: 

• Responsibility. Accountability.

• Integrity. Sincerity. Honesty. 

• Courage. Self Belief. Confidence. 

• Humility. Humility comes with Appreciation of one's Strength.
  It is a combination of Awe-Respect-Gratitude-Compassion-Love

• Enthusiasm. Initiative. Decisiveness. Resourcefulness.

• Service. Work done by one person or group that benefits another.

Thanks Mr. Dante for spending time with the young men in the neighborhood by unlocking the right door.  

If you want to know more about Roll Models or want to get involved, visit:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001958034685&sk=info