News - Lifestyles

Tuesday, Jul. 22, 2008

Youth mentoring program teaches children to crave more out of life

Latoya Mayes, 24, has a passion for young people and wants them to succeed. And she believes the community should be more involved in molding them.

So Mayes did something about it. She founded CRAVE Inc. last December to help children with skill-building activities, so they can "be more, want more, crave more in life."

"I want the teens to be role models for our 6- to 12-year-old youth," said Mayes, who works as a community support specialist for Quality Family Services. "The goal is to have our youth realize their potential in reaching success."

The nonprofit charitable organization she formed focuses on helping children and youth, ages 6 to 18, grow in every aspect of their lives. It teaches them the meaning of good character, respect, a positive attitude, personal and family values and the importance of education.

"CRAVE is about giving (the youth) the confidence and encouragement needed to succeed," said Mayes, who serves as a youth council member at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Rock Hill.

She wanted to create a program not only to give local children an opportunity to be involved in activities such as dance, acting and poetry, but also to teach them important values.

"It's about learning," said Mayes, who also teaches a teen Bible-study class. "It's not just leisure activities, but gaining a lot of knowledge as well."

One day, the students dressed up for mock job interviews. They learned how to complete a job application, what to wear in a job interview and how to build a resume.

Another day, they learned about self-esteem. Separated into six groups, they were asked to write down a one-word compliment for each member of their group. Some days, the students hear speakers who talk about subjects such as how they found success.

Aaliyah Brice, 8, who is enrolled in the program, said CRAVE is a good experience. "I hope they love it," said Brice, a student at the Children's School in Rock Hill. "It's really educational and you learn different things. I just love it."

CRAVE programs are supported by local donations. They are sponsored by Mayes, the Emmett Scott Center through the Weed and Seed Program and the Central City Optimist Club.

The organization has had six events so far, including a Love and Respect Yourself Celebration in which the Catawba Care Coalition, Keystone and Palmetto Pregnancy Center were guests.

This summer, the program consists of five weeks of skill-building activities. Each week focuses on one of the five main themes -- good character, respect, positive attitude, personal and family values and the importance of education. The weeks following those wrap up the program.

The summer program started in June and will continue until Aug. 16, when a red carpet awards ceremony is scheduled. Seventy-one children are enrolled in the free program and 17 people volunteered to help.

One of the volunteers is 25-year-old Qutta Anthony. "I love kids," said Anthony, the mother of a 3-year-old daughter.

Anthony, who works as a cashier at Staples, said that since the program started, children are interacting more and having a lot of fun. She said kids can get what they need through CRAVE.

"I think it's a very positive program," she said.

Another CRAVE volunteer, Cathryn Barnette, 17, agrees. She said some of the youth enrolled in the program were once on the streets.

"There's just a lot of crimes going on." said Barnette, a student at Northwestern High School. "It's good to see kids doing something good."

CRAVE meets from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 16. Most meetings are at the Emmett Scott Center in Rock Hill. A fall program is being scheduled. For information, contact Latoya Mayes at latoya.mayes@gmail.com or (803) 984-2975.

Latoya Mayes, 24, has a passion for young people and wants them to succeed. And she believes the community should be more involved in molding them.

So Mayes did something about it. She founded CRAVE Inc. last December to help children with skill-building activities, so they can "be more, want more, crave more in life."