African-American mens’ group focuses on African-American young men for mentoring and support
6/26/2008 3:32 PM

News Release        
Community Relations Office       
Contact: Brett Johnson - (651) 767-8107

June 26, 2008  

Saint Paul, Minn – The men of the Monitors Club are giving volunteer hours and $20,000 in support of Saint Paul Public Schools students during the 2008-09 school year. The Monitors Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Monitors Club, made the grant to Chosen to Achieve, Saint Paul Public Schools’ African-American mentoring program.

The grant enables Chosen To Achieve to focus on five seventh grade students and their families. The Monitors’ “The Future Is Now” grant is annually renewable for six years, with the goal of supporting the students through the 12th grade. “The Monitors Foundation has provided scholarships for college, but we recognize young people cannot wait until just before college for support,” said Walter T. Chesley, chairman of the Monitors Foundation Board of Directors. “Because the future is now, we need to lay the foundation for success at a critical stage in these students’ lives. We’re starting with five students and our goal is to grow the program and help many more African-American young men.”

In addition, members of the Monitors Club will mentor students through Chosen to Achieve beginning in the 2008-09 school year. “This is going to make a significant, positive difference for these young men,” said Anna Young, director of Chosen to Achieve. “The boys and their families are thrilled and they recognize what this kind of support means. They are experiencing the power of a community that believes they will be successful and gives them the means to realize their potential.”

The Monitors Club was founded in 1955 with a commitment to observing and addressing political and socio-economic developments that affect the lives and the well-being of the African-American community. The Monitors Foundation was created in 1998. The foundation makes financial awards to African American youth to foster and enhance their academic, leadership and social skills through post-secondary scholarships. More information is available at www.monitorsclub.com.

Districtwide Mentoring Programs are looking for volunteers of all races and backgrounds to make a commitment to students in Saint Paul. For more information call 651-293-5952, www.cta.spps.org.