The Truth Staff
Seven Toledo area men visited Winterfield Venture Academy on Wednesday, March 22, and had the pleasure of interacting with, and giving instruction to, some of the Academy’s young men. It was a learning experience for all, and it won’t be the last one.
Tyra Smith, founder and CEO of Pathway 4 Successful Leadership, Inc, organized the “Tie The Knot” event during which the men had an ice breaker with the school’s seventh and eighth graders, then showed them how to tie a tie (which is part of the everyday uniform) while also talking to them about hygiene, high-school readiness, respect and responsibility.
The seven men who lent their time and tie-tying expertise to the event were: Paul Lee, case manager at the Zepf Center; Dennis Hopson, coach of the Lourdes University men’s basketball team; Pastor Tim Pettaway of Walk the Word Church; Zonta Moore, barber and firefighter; Moni Featchurs, DJ and recording studio owner; John Jones, CEO of HOPE Toledo and Damon Horton, vice president of Pathway 4 Successful Leadership.
Each of the men addressed the students, explaining who they were and, often, what they thought was important about the event.
“These moments are priceless,” said Jones. “It is priceless for you to be here … don’t waste this moment.”
The seven men then separated into different groups with the students to teach the process – the first step of their interaction with Pathway students.
Winterfield Venture Academy is a charter school that serves approximately 450 students in the K through eighth grades. Kimberly Scribner is the principal.
Tyra Smith founded Pathway 4 Successful Leadership 15 years ago to help students who need an extra push. Pathway currently provides services for 46 different schools along with offering scholarships and adopting families at holiday time.
Smith started Pathway after several years of volunteering in the public school system, helping with unruly students and, because of that success, being asked to do more and more. School leaders impressed upon her the value of her contributions and encouraged her to give more of herself. Thus, Pathway was formed and the vision was created to provide a positive outlook and successful future to troubled, disruptive youth and rebuild their confidence, self esteem, trust and respect.
Last week’s Tie The Knot event is just the first step for these men who are volunteering their time and experience. They will be part of the upcoming Pathway six-week summer program during which they will take turns with power point presentations on six topics: respect, protect, responsibility, liability, loyalty and finance.
Pathway 4 Successful Leadership (P4SL) is a non-profit organization that strictly follows its vision and mission statements. P4SL provides total support to youth and their parents/guardian 24 hours per day and for whatever periods of time necessary through various P4SL programs. Our programs provide for short follows its vision and mission statements. P4SL provides total support to youth and their parents/guardian 24 hours per day and for whatever periods of time necessary through various P4SL programs. Our programs provide for short and/or long also academic. The continuous consistent leadership of the P4SL staff along with daily reviews and weekly reports including those of parents/guardian and the school will provide a circumference of unquestionable positive embrace. P4SL also utilizes activities that provide social skills training with an emphasis on anger management, problem solving skills, anti-bullying, conflict resolution, violence prevention and gang involvement.
