Wesh 2: Central Florida nonprofit organization offers mentoring program for students
Central Florida nonprofit organization offers mentoring program for students
Updated: 4:40 PM EDT Apr 28, 2023
Countless after-school programs across Central Florida keep children engaged and work with them to reach their fullest potential.
A classroom at Evans High School is far from the Halls of Congress, but it's where we found Maxwell Frost doing important work.
"My life changed when I changed my goals from what I want to be to what I want to do," Frost said. "Traditionally, politicians haven't looked like the students from Evans High School, right? And so, what this does is show them this can be for them. This can be for anybody."
Frost met with Evans High School students who are part of a mentoring program run by the United Foundation of Central Florida.
Joining him was State Attorney Monique Worrell.
"Currently, the law is 21, so if any of your friends are in possession of a firearm, that's illegal and you should tell someone," Worrell said.
Sandra Fatmi-Hall is the executive director of the United Foundation of Central Florida, a nonprofit organization working to keep kids on track and reduce violence.
"I'm concerned that it's been normalized. Oh, it's another shooting. It's Pine Hills, eh, Paramore, Apopka, eh. No, that has to be a problem," Fatmi-Hall said.
Fatmi-Hall's programs include "Future Leaders United," where kids can find help paying for college visits, after-school activities, prom dresses and more.
"We just cleaned up Barnett Bark and then we helped a STEM festival for kids," a student said.
"When we're in this program, we put our phones down. We're listening to what's happening in our community and things we can do to change that," another student said.
The engagement is especially needed in the summer as many kids lose the structure and safety of school.
"In the summer, we always see a spike in juvenile crime. I'm hoping we can get ahead of that and create more prevention programs," Worrell said.
Fatmi-Hall stands ready but needs more support.
"If you're not able to write a check, let's get your time to do some mentoring. Help me talk to a van dealer to purchase a van. We have two we're renting now. I don't want to tell you what it's costing us," Fatmi-Hall said.
It's a plea and a reminder.
"Why is this everyone's problem, even if you don't live in Pine Hills or Parramore?" WESH 2 asked.
"It's everyone's problem because it can happen in your community as well. You have to have some care or concern about our young people. They didn't ask to be here," Fatmi-Hall said. "But they're here and they're dying because of the violence that's taking place. It can't just be one person's problem. It has to be everyone's problem in this community."
If you think you can help Fatmi-Hall and the young people she's working with, visit the United Foundation of Central Florida website.