Michael Bryant Youth Mentoring Program

The Michael Bryant Youth Mentoring Program (MBYMP), previously known as Fresh Futures and renamed in December 2006 in memory of Michael Bryant, an Executive Director with FreshMinistries who passed away November 11, 2006, is a youth development and enrichment program that helps youth widen their worlds and achieve success in school and family life.

Michael Bryant Youth Mentoring youth:

• Live in distressed neighborhoods
• Attend schools that have been labeled as “failing”
• Need help with homework and healthy activities with peers in safe, supervised environments
• Achieve greater self-esteem, better social skills and improved test scores through participation in the FreshMinistries program

MBYMP has an active partnership with First Baptist Church of Oakland and Triumph the Church and Family of God in Christ, two Jacksonville churches that serve residents in low-income neighborhoods. Through these partnerships, both Triumph and First Baptist are able to strengthen their own youth programs with ongoing help from college interns provided and paid by FreshMinistries.

MBYMP tutors and mentors are adults and/or college interns who work with inner-city youth to strengthen the youths’ self-esteem, help them improve their school work and develop positive socialization skills, as well as introduce them to cultural and career opportunities, as well as give them positive role models.

With a combination of school visits, home visits, enrichment activities, journal writing and community service, the Michael Bryant Youth Mentoring Program is able to broaden horizons and help youth develop success plans leading to a brighter future.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve learned that the things I was trying to give my life meaning with before weren’t giving my life meaning. I’ve discovered the importance of finding a place of solitude inside myself with God, and how to build loving relationships with people.”
-Joe Johnson, former intern and University of North Florida student

 
Please note: This is a past program and is no longer a part of FreshMinistries' current set of initiatives.  However, those interested in volunteering their time to mentor, tutor or otherwise assist East Jacksonville youth should still contact us for individual opportunities.