I have been asked by my followers and by families of the incarcerated, “Leonard, how did you get into mentoring the youth?”
Well, back in 2004, when my class really took off, I had grown close to the 30+ men who I was mentoring. They all had children, ages 5-10. I would be on a prison visit with a friend or family member, and some of the men in my mentoring class, who would also be on visits, would introduce me to their family and children. I love kids, and I would buy them food or ice cream from the vending machines. The kids would smile, and every time they would see me on a visit, they would come up and hug my leg, or want to come sit and talk to me.
Then, in 2010, I was at a prison that started a mentoring pilot program with the Boys & Girls Club in the area – in partnership with a place that housed orphans who were at-risk. I signed up for the mentorship, and it was a hit. I was able to identify with the kids, as I was molested when I was younger, and always felt like the black sheep of the family. I was bullied. I’m also dyslectic and taught myself to read.
By 2014, the kids I had once played with on visitations were now teens and young adults. They sent me letters and asked me to contact them, as they were having problems in their young lives. Some even had children of their own and asked me to be the godfather.
I still mentor many of those kids-turned-young-adults, and I have picked up more at-risk youth from single mothers who have contacted me, asking for my help. This is my calling and I enjoy and love every bit of mentoring the youth!
Advocate/Mentor
Leonard E. Love