Heal and empower the community

The Ethel J. Roldan Center for Cultural Awareness is a nonprofit with a mission of providing culturally competent, specialized services for youth and families of our diverse community and to act as a liaison to other agencies that are necessary to heal, empower, educate and embrace our families. It opened its doors on June 13, 1994. The center provides outreach and referral services for early identification and prevention of mental health, drug/alcohol needs specifically in the African American community of Erie County, with a focus on Sandusky. The center advocates and links individuals and family members who need social services and mental health services to the proper agency so that they may receive the best support needed to enhance their quality of life. The center also promotes the development of culturally relevant services and culturally competent providers of service in the mental health, drug /alcohol system and all systems that work with children and families of north-central Ohio. The center is currently offering a hands-on program Stepping into Manhood, from boys-to-men mentoring, initiative, which aims to build character that lasts in families through positive alternatives to violence and delinquency by offering an integrated approach to the youth's academic, physical, social and spiritual development. Mentors are carefully screened local men who desire to be impactful by volunteering their time every Saturday for 11 weeks. The center provides the meeting location — usually at the center's headquarters — activities, and supplies for mentors and mentees. Mentors will facilitate one Saturday session of activities, workshops or discussion groups during the 11-week period. Topics to be addressed with the gentlemen under our care will include: • Getting to know you • Function of Friendships — respect, admiration, peer influence • Talk about it — listening skills • Resisting peer pressure, ending friendships • Right from wrong, making best decisions • School engagement, healthy competition • Learn to control themselves, positive contribution to society • Understanding the value of you • Thoughts, actions, what is spoken • Budgeting, problem-solving strategies • Bullying, environment Initiative outcomes for each participant will be: • Stronger relationships • Reduced risk of addiction • Lower dropout rates • Higher college enrollment rates • Not give in to negative peer pressure • Use positive peer pressure methods in decision-making • Improve relationships between youth and their parents and siblings • Increase their intellectual progress in every aspect of life • Decrease likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use • Higher self-esteem and confidence • Improved behavior at home and at school • Better school performance • Healthier lifestyle choices Mentors are still needed. If interested, please contact Tory Yarbro at 567-215-2675 or by email tyarbrocca@gmail.com. Racquel PaceExecutive director The Ethel J. Roldan Center for Cultural Awareness If you want to submit a Local Voices column, please email it to brandonaddeo@tandemnetwork.com. Columns should be 500-750 words and include the writer's headshot, or other photo.