ORANGEBURG, S.C. — A new program called “My Brother's Keepers” aims to help male students graduate from South Carolina State University and also use their skills learned beyond graduation.
Troy Moore is a senior and says having a space where he feels welcomed is important.
“Everybody has the same issues. We might not come from the same backgrounds, but everyone is here for the same reasons," Moore said. "We’re all here to be better in life. This program is here to carry you. It's not here to hinder you, it's to build you up in life, to show you what you need, to show you the life skills you need to becoming a man in the outside world and how you need to move when it's time to graduate and the opportunities that you can get, the opportunities that you will have. Don’t let any obstacle stop you from whatever you plan to do. Continue to be great no matter what comes your way.”
So far, over 200 students have signed up to be a part of the program, which includes mentoring, workshops, research opportunities, lectures and more.
Tyron Clinton is the director for the Student Success Center. He says being able to problem solve is a life skill.
“Understanding that the challenges are going to be there, but however, we want them to understand how to face these challenges on a daily basis," said Clinton. "So we want to prepare them to become a man once the graduate from South Carolina State.”
Program mentors will meet with participants as often as once a month with hopes of helping them obtain their goals.
Clinton says providing resources for male students on campus is a priority for the program.
“We all have issues that going on and we want to make sure that we are here for our male students," said Clinton. "We want to make sure that if they have issues with finances, they have issues with maybe family issues, it might be mental health issues, we want to make sure we provide the resources here.”
The Student Success Center tells News 19 that they will be looking to collaborate with local businesses and community groups to help foster cultural immersion experiences as well.
In October, they will be launching their female mentorship program know as Woman 2 Woman.