Celebrating our 2024 Young Men United Graduates
Young Men United (YMU) is an evidence-informed initiative designed to create barrier-free pathways for young men to reach their academic and career goals.
United Way of the Midlands is proud to extend a big congratulations to the first Young Men United cohort on their high school graduation! Dressed for success in their best suits and ties, 14 YMU students walked across the stage at Second Nazareth Baptist Church on May 16th to begin their transitionary walk into adulthood. These young men will continue their journey with YMU as they begin the next phase of their lives.
“Young Men United helps to prepare students for adulthood and helps us with difficult tasks we have in the future,” says YMU graduate Tylige Scott. “It’s just an amazing experience to be part of YMU. It changed my life personally, and I believe it can change others.”
In its second year, this initiative brings support to college-capable male high school students, starting in tenth or eleventh grade, and provides essential tools to help them enter and succeed in college, the workforce, or graduate school. Mentorship is a key component to the program’s success, expanding the student’s knowledge of career paths and college majors. Mentors meet with their mentee(s) at least once a month.
“I feel like I’ve grown a bit more mature,” says YMU graduate Taurus Charles. “They help bring in people who went through past experiences and so it’s helpful to relate to somebody and see how they turned their life around for the better. My mentor has helped me realize what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
After high school, Charles plans on attending USC Upstate, where he received a full-ride scholarship, and will major in Cybersecurity.
“YMU I feel like is a blessing to be a part of and if you’re invited, please, please, please join it because it really helps you accomplish goals,” says Scott. Scott plans to attend SC State University and major in Sports Management.
Rounding out the 2024 YMU graduates are Nicholas Allen, Charles Campbell, Reginald Craft, Jakyri Edmond, Ceres Gantt-Exavier, Enosh Jean-Philippe, Joshua Jackson, Akbar Jordan, Mehki Mills, Rashawn Reed, Anthony Thompson, and Darryl Witherspoon.
YMU is currently in 4 schools, including 2 in Richland School District One (Columbia High School and Eau Claire High School), 1 in Richland School District Two (Richland Northeast), and 1 in Lexington-Richland School District Five (Irmo High School). YMU will serve 100 students by the end of the year.
Interested in becoming a student participant? Young Men United may be the ticket to help you gain the confidence, knowledge, and skills you need to jumpstart your path to success. Recruitment kicks off in October. Take the first step by clicking the application link here.
We would love to have you join us in our mission! Fill out your mentor application here.