Troubled Youths Offered Positive Role Models

Some of the 50 or so boys who stopped by Compton High School do not know their fathers. Others are poor or live in foster homes. Some belong to strong families that wonder whether boys can resist the lure of gangs.

All of them could use another positive male influence to help steer them right, as far as Compton High Principal Charles Watkins is concerned. He organized the school’s first Men for the 21st Century Conference, an effort to introduce young black males to good role models and worthwhile ambitions.

“It’s time successful men in this community shared a little time with our future men. That’s why we’re hosting this conference--because we respect, admire and love our young men and they need us,” Watkins said.

The program, aimed at students heading for Compton High, is one of three similar efforts in the Compton Unified School District. Mentor programs are already in place at Bunche Elementary and Walton Middle School.

Four City Council members and four school board members attended Saturday’s conference. Several spoke at the four-hour gathering. All will serve as mentors.

A total of 72 Compton businessmen, college professors, engineers, attorneys, students, ministers and blue-collar workers have pledged to become mentors. Each will meet with about four assigned students every week. Volunteer students from the high school also will help with tutoring and counseling.

Attendance at the kickoff conference was smaller than the 200 to 300 students Watkins had hoped for. He said he will step up recruiting efforts by involving district middle school principals and providing bus service for students to Saturday mentor meetings.

One of the conference speakers, Compton minister Kenneth Jones, said it was important for Compton children to meet the city’s good role models. “Not all of us are in jail, we’re not all hustlers and we’re not worthless,” he said.

School board Trustee Amen Rahh told the boys they would end up begging for money or in jail unless they learned the responsibilities of manhood. “Respect yourself and study all you can because part of your life as a man is to make a contribution to life,” he said.