The core vision of The Northern Virginia Guild Grandfathers Group Mentoring Program is to change the negative behavior patterns of young African American males whose fathers are absent from the home by helping them to develop a sense of personal integrity and self-awareness through the example set by senior African American male mentors of principle and virtue. This intergenerational approach to mentoring provides a supportive framework of empowerment, encouragement and esteem-building activities focused on character education and life skills. The Guild Grandfathers Group, a direct response by concerned citizens to the needs of our community’s children, has provided a unique emphasis and stability sustained since its inception.
African American senior men who serve as “Grandfather” mentors offer their life experiences, their knowledge, instincts and abilities to help shape the character of boys ages 9-12, who will be tomorrow’s business leaders and workers, citizens, fathers, and, in their turn, grandfathers. Mentor candidates receive background screening, mentor training and resources. Program staff monitors and supports the interaction between mentor and child and arranges a First Saturday Guild Grandfathers Group Mentoring group event each month. Senior mentors are expected to maintain at least four (4) monthly contacts with their mentee, including a minimum of two (2) face-to-fact contacts. Some of the activities that have been conducted so far have been:
- Visits to Museums
- Sightseeing
- Etiquette Modules
- Bowling
- Sporting Events
- Tutoring
