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Mentorship program gives boys role models for life

The Adopt-a-Role Model program has been helping at risk youth for 29 years

MACON, Ga. — With a new school year right around the corner, community leaders with Macon's Adopt-a-Role Model program are working to get boys mentally prepared. 

For the past 29 years, the mentorship program has focused on assisting boys in single mother homes, helping them find role models for life.

"We serve at risk youth," Organization Director Tina Dennard said. "You have to have a male figure. With us you go through life."

On Thursday, boys in the program got to listen to Super Bowl champion Tyrone Poole about staying focused on their goals.

Adopt-a-Role Model helps foster life-long relationships between mentors and mentees in the Macon community. Boys enter the program around the ages of 6 and 11 and get to choose their role model.

The program was especially helpful for Alvoid Gates, who was a protege almost 20 years ago. 

"It's helped a lot," Gates said. "I was one who was going down the wrong path at one time and it helped a lot. It made me who I am today."

Now Gates is a mentor himself and coaches basketball and football.

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