Project Rebuild
mentees enjoy basketball at Rec House
TRACEY M. HENRY PHOTO
Mentor says “Doing it together gets it done!”
By Tracey M. Henry, Esq.
In today’s tough world, teens need mentors more
than ever. But, with scarce volunteer resources
and decreased funding, more innovative
approaches to mentoring have come about and
they’re working.
Group mentoring is one approach that has gained
considerable popularity because teens can
benefit from a number of successful and
productive relationships simultaneously. Group
mentoring can also serve a larger number of
youth and reach teens who want opportunities to
interact with their peers — opportunities that
are said to be critical to their development.
Let’s face it, some teens (and parents) may be
uncomfortable meeting one-on-one with an adult.
Group mentoring can offer youth a familiar,
comfortable setting in which they can interact
with peers, while at the same time receiving
guidance and support from an adult who presents
a positive role model.
Once such program is called Project Rebuild,
which offers “Rescue My Son” weekend mentoring
designed for boys and young men from 10 to 18.
Project Rebuild specifically assists parents
whose sons have been adjudicated, arrested,
convicted or charged with status offenses
related to truancy or misdemeanors, or even if
they’ve been placed on probation. Mentees can
generate community service hours through the
program and partake in supportive and
specialized group sessions held on Saturdays
from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Young men can learn how
to build and strengthen existing skills, learn
new ones, and develop problem-solving and coping
skills through positive activities. The only
qualification is that the mentee candidate be a
male.
The cost is $25 per family and scholarships may
be available. The program obtains mentees not
only through court referrals, but also parental
and self-referrals. Project Rebuild also
provides a beneficial new twist for parents, who
are invited once a month to discuss their
concerns, challenges, and achievements in a
friendly, talking “circle” format.
“Becoming a mentor has truly changed my life.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to be instrumental
in a young person’s life. You can really make a
difference. Nothing is more rewarding than
becoming a positive part of their overall
development,” said Corporal Bill Joiner, the
founder of Project Rebuild. Corporal Joiner
retired from the Wayne County Sheriff’s
Department after 25 years of service. He has a
degree in criminal justice and will soon attain
another degree in social work. The nonprofit
program has been around since 1985, but has been
operating out of the all new “Rec House” since
May 2008. The spacious, multi-level home
nestled within several acres of wooded area on
the outskirts of town offers a basketball court,
a number of game rooms, work out facilities and
cozy areas for reading or talking near a large
stone fireplace that features a mantle full of
trophies. The large conference room offers
state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment to
facilitate group sessions and a computer
station.
“Bill [Joiner] shows selected clips from films
like Boys in the Hood and TV shows like The
Corner, as a teaching tool so the mentees can
apply certain situations to their own lives and
learn how to deal with issues appropriately,”
said Janet Joiner, who is a licensed master
social worker (LMSW) and PhD. Dr. Joiner handles
the monthly parent forums and is related to
Corporal Joiner through marriage.
Dr. Joiner said that parents often talk about
developmental issues with their boys, peer
pressure, relationship problems and anger
management. “We listen to the parents and help
to resolve problems and promote change through
group mentoring,” said Artina McClendon, who
assists Dr. Joiner. Ms. McClendon, along with
guest speaker coordinator, Byron McClendon,
forms half of the other husband and wife team at
Rec House.
The program’s slogan of ”Doing it together gets
it done” is repeatedly demonstrated by the
all-volunteer Project Rebuild staff and a
ongoing line up of interesting guest speakers
from all walks of life. The Saturday program I
visited featured a doubleheader. Nelson Henry, a
motivational speaker/mentor/teacher, used a one
dollar bill as a visual aid and basis for
an inspiring discussion on the power of one,
which highlighted everyone’s uniqueness and
value in today’s world. Anthony Crittendon, a
noted published author and long-time poet and
rapper, performed “Alive” about substance abuse
and “Message to: All Our Children,” which sends
a powerful message about peer pressure and
truancy.
Although Project Rebuild offers non-traditional
mentoring, Dr. Joiner said she knows it works
based on parental feedback and readily apparent
behavior changes in the boys. According to Dr.
Joiner, “We celebrate small victories when
parents say, for example, my kid went a whole
weekend where he didn’t cuss me out.”
To learn more about Project Rebuild call
(313) 930-2332 or go to www.rescuemyson.com.
