A mentoring program in East St. Louis is working to guide young men towards a brighter future by providing positive role models and teaching important life skills.
On a recent Saturday morning, a group of male teenagers experienced a unique interaction with a real shark in the world of STEM, the acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – a broad term used to group together academic disciplines.
The teens were participating in a learning and enrichment session that’s part of the Metro East St. Louis Community Initiative (MESLCI), a mentoring program working to instill positive values in youth preparation for manhood.
One of the professional mentors is a science teacher, Mike Sankey, who introduced the youth to STEM at the meeting. Exposing youth to new areas of possibilities is what MESLCI is about.
“They dissected a baby shark,” recalls the Rev. Dr. Wilfert Lee, Board Chairman of MESLCI. “They loved it.”
The mission of the program is to inspire hope and strengthen communities through personal, professional and economic development. Lee describes the program as a “community outreach center” to be a visible entity in not just Metro East St. Louis but also in Cairo and Mount Vernon, Il.
The program, housed in a spacious facility that formerly was a church at 8601 Washington Street in East St. Louis, Il., was founded ten years ago by the Delta Epsilon Foundation, Inc. The nonprofit charitable foundation provides enrichment education, scholarships and mentoring to youths in local communities who would not otherwise be able to thrive financially, economically or educationally. The foundation is an outreach of the Delta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. which operates independently from the fraternity but in collaboration with it.
In addition to the foundation financial support, MESLCI continues to seek out funding sources for the program. The organization recently received a $20,000 grant from the Saigh Foundation, that works to enhance the quality of life for children and youth in the St. Louis metropolitan area by supporting educational and health-related charitable institutions and organizations.
All of the African American male mentors are professional type individuals from such professions as school teachers, lawyers, business owners, law enforcement, entrepreneurs, real estate as well as retirees. Since its inception a decade ago, the program has served about 500 young men. The goal in 2024 is to reach 200 youth. It is important that the male youth interact with influential and successful black men.
“Our goal is to be a positive influence on young men to show them a better way and let them see some black professionals,” Lee says. “We think its very important for them to see accomplished men who look like us.”
Sessions are held the second Saturdays of the month, with the next meeting set for January 13. Below is a description of the program offerings:
The Webb-McDonald Scholarship is awarded every year to deserving youth in the Metro-East community. This scholarship provides a stipend to youth entering an institution of higher education upon graduation from an area accredited high school. Over $10,000 in scholarships have been awarded to deserving youth within the Metro-East St. Louis community.
Judge Ora Polk Oratorical Contest
In collaboration with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Epsilon Lambda Chapter of East St. Louis, the Judge Ora Polk Oratorical competition is named in honor of the late judge and was created to continue the legacy of this respected educator, civic/community leader and charter member of Delta Epsilon Lambda. The contest encourages communication growth of male students in the metropolitan area in grades 9-12.
Lights of Alpha Mentoring Program
Lights of Alpha Male Mentoring Program (LOA): Male youth in grades 8 through 12 are sought from the community through various means (school counselors, parents, churches and community residents). The young males meet monthly at the MESLCI facility and are provided group information (i.e., dining etiquette, public speaking finances, personal health, sexual development, manhood, credit card use, college preparation, etc. Also, a personal mentor is assigned to maintain contact with the youth and his parents.
Beautillion
The Beautillion celebrates the accomplishments of male youth preparing to make the transition from high school. The recipients of these scholarship dollars are highlighted at our annual banquet as part of the fundraising efforts through solicitation for ads and patronage. The winner of the Beautillion is crowned “Beau of the Year” and receives a percentage of the fundraising proceeds as a scholarship/stipend.
Another program offerings to enhance personal enrichment is embracing the value of developing a strategy for life by utilizing a board game that includes, among other pieces, a king and a queen.
“They’re prepping for a chess tournament,” Lee says. “They’re learning to play chess which is helping them in their critical thinking as well as in life. We want them to finish the program with a concept on how to better their lives.”
For more information about the Metro East St. Louis Community Initiative (MESLCI), visit www.MESLCI.org.
