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The Arlington Police Department is launching a program that provides a new resource for the motivation and mentorship of young men. The idea behind Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program began for Lieutenant Tarrick McGuire when he was a young patrol officer and with one particular interaction with a young man he was arresting. While transporting the man to jail, then-Officer McGuire learned that the man had a pregnant girlfriend. He talked to the young man about his future and potential. Although it did not appear that his message was received, sometime later the man approached Officer McGuire and told him that he had a job, re-enrolled in school and was caring for his newborn girl.

Recalling that moment as an officer, Lt. McGuire recognizes that there are opportunities to positively influence African American and Hispanic men. It takes the right kind of mentors and male leaders, which is why the Arlington Police Department is positioning the MAY Program to provide this type of mentoring to our youth.

At the core of the program is the Arlington Police Department’s strategic partnership with the Arlington Independent School District to provide dedicated mentoring opportunities for young men in the seventh and eighth grade. The pilot program phase will accept 10 young men and begin in October 2015 with referrals coming from the AISD. For this initial phase, the area of focus will include east Arlington and Workman Junior High School.

Throughout the summer, the MAY Program is seeking men willing to commit to working with these young men. The mentors will provide interactive workshops on leadership, team building, education and career development. Mentors must be willing to make a deliberate 18-month commitment and be available for mentor training.

Additional support for the MAY Program comes from the Arlington Municipal Court, and community and religious leaders. The MAY Program furthers previous partnerships with the AISD and other Arlington organizations, such as our Hometown Recruiting Program that develops young people interested in a career in law enforcement.

To learn more about the MAY program, click here http://www.arlington-tx.gov/police/mentoring-arlington-youth/

MAY Program Goals:
*Monitor. Mentor. Motivate.
*Increase police legitimacy among youth through positive interaction and problem based learning
*Create and influence positive behavioral support while building sustainable relationships
*Create social awareness beyond their neighborhood
*Reduce juvenile recidivism