Transitions: Men of Tomorrow

In 1989, a youth organization was formed in Milwaukee. Known as Transitions: Men of Tomorrow, MOT is a comprehensive program designed to prepare African American and other minority males for a successful transition from youth to adulthood.

Recently, I was honored to be asked to join the board of this fine organization. The connection was made by Kathy Galliard from Mosiac Communications. She introduced me to Bill Jenkins, MOT’s president. He in turn had me chat with Rev. Vincent Montgomery, the Executive Director. I couldn’t help, but be impressed.

No one would disagree with the observation that education is of critical concern. As the needs of our schools increase, so do taxes. Oftentimes, the quality of the schools suffers as we wrestle with funding issues. The gap between rich and poor widens. Increasingly, well-to-do families send their children to private schools to escape the either real or imagined failings and dangers that plague the public schools.

One thing I’ve learned is that there is an additional “layer” forming for minority children. They lack the proper role models. They are simply not exposed to men and women who are in rewarding and productive careers. Why work hard in school when the only role models you see are entertainers and sports figures? Why care about your community when your community doesn’t seem to care about you?

And what of the parents? How are they to cope with all of this? When our children see us being a success, they internalize the reasons behind education, networking and hard work. But if they see poverty and discrimination, what is there to motivate hard work?
Where are the opportunities that “the other side” has in abundance? And how are the parents supposed to provide guidance when reality pushes in another direction?

Here are the objectives of MOT:

1. To foster a sense of belonging, accountability, responsibility, cultural pride, increased self-esteem, and respect of God, self and community.

2. To provide a mechanism for adult males to become actively involved as mentors.

3. To increase community awareness of the need and benefit for direction.

4. To provide a vehicle for broad community involvement across all social-economic levels throughout Greater Milwaukee.

5. To assist parents and the community in preparing our youth for their transition from youth to adulthood.

Divided into age groups, participants attend educational workshops, hear guest speakers, go camping, participate in community service projects and go on an annual cultural field trip (next one: Washington, D.C.). Sessions are held Saturday mornings during the school year and during an abbreviated summer program.

The program happens with volunteer mentors. And it depends on the generosity of its supporters. Currently, MOT does not have its own building. It works out of a church basement.

Know anyone with a building they’d like to donate?

For more information, contact:

Transitions, Inc.
P.O. Box 090734
Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 322-2950