MEN OF CHARACTER OF VIRGINIA

Today men are facing a crisis. Thirty years ago, men represented close to 60 percent of those enrolled in colleges and universities. In 2002, according to the most recent year for which figures are available, the percentage of male undergraduates on the nation’s campuses stood at 43 percent. That figure constitutes the lowest percentage for males since the middle of the 19th century. Because there are less positive male role models in the lives of boys and young men, males have gravitated away from the college path and, for some, towards negative paths. Males make up 75 to 80 percent of all arrests and account for 93 percent of the prison population. While these numbers continue to worsen for males, MEN OF CHARACTER OF VIRGINIA is an organization that will combat and reverse the negative trends of males, one young man at a time. MEN OF CHARACTER OF VIRGINIA will enable the young men in the organization to excel in high school as they make the transition to become college students. The mission of MEN OF CHARACTER OF VIRGINIA is to make a positive difference in the lives of young male high school students, through monthly topic presentations, service projects, and organizational events, to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become knowledgeable, responsible, and cooperative college students with a commitment to community service. The three components are Education, Service, and Fellowship. Through the Education Component, we will present an important topic each month including college, money management, and health. The Service Component allows the high school students to participate in service projects to help assist the community and to mentor at a local elementary school. The Fellowship Component creates a family atmosphere amongst the high school men and the facilitators in the program.