Mentoring the Next Generation
Mentorships are critical personal and professional development relationships. Mentors share more than expertise with mentees; they share their successes, failures, and other experiences that help mentees increase their confidence, and deepen the impact of their contributions to the community.
One organization that provides these types of opportunities to our community is Bloom Project, Inc.
Bloom Project, Inc.’s mission is to build youth into the next generation of leaders in their community, with a focus on mentorship and character development.
“I was inspired to start Bloom Project, Inc. in honor of my late grandfather Ezell “Bloom” Stephens,” said Arnetta Scruggs, Founder & Executive Director of Bloom Project, Inc. “Our goal is to continue the family's legacy of serving and helping others. After watching local media, I wanted to change the narrative of how society views young Black men.”
Bloom Project’s Project King emphasizes group mentoring for young Black males ages 12-18. Participants are matched with a male mentor and go through a series of workshops focused on character development, professional development, emotional intelligence, civics, and more with a unique cultural lens.
“We help our Kings improve their social skills and relationships by engaging them in service projects, college tours, community forums, and monthly discussions,” explained Arnetta. “This program also includes a monthly service project that teaches the importance of giving back to their community.”
“Mentorship is important because it provides the opportunity for our individuals to have someone that can guide them in the right direction. It allows them to process their feelings, good and/or bad. It gives them exposure to opportunities that they might not have access to alone,” said Arnetta. “The hope for every participant of Bloom Project as an organization is for each King to graduate from high school and become successful by impacting the community. Our Kings will continue their education by enrolling in college and/or finding full-time employment.”
“We aspire to mold leaders in the community. Our Kings have graduated from the organization and come back to become mentors to the younger generation.”
Foellinger Foundation remains committed to investing in organizations, programming, and initiatives that serve Allen County citizens with the greatest economic need and least opportunity—just as we have for the last 64 years. By supporting organizations that provide mentoring programs, we help Allen County residents not only help themselves—but help others, for generations to come. Thank you, Bloom Project, Inc.!