In Leesburg, Florida and the surrounding communities, a movement has started to make mentors available to some of the more vulnerable teens in the area. Inspiration for the mentoring program came after three young men were arrested for shooting at police deputies outside the 22nd National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community.

"At breakfast this week in Leesburg, [Pernell] Mitchell encouraged potential mentors not to let their pasts hinder them from helping children. Some group members have overcome criminal histories and turned their lives around for the better."

The Leesburg mentoring chapter is part of a nationwide organization called 100 Black Men of America, which was founded in 1963 to make positive changes in the community. The national group has, to date, mentored over 100,000 young people.

Labels: criminals, hope, mentoring