Eastlake Male Youth Initiative Students Capture the Spirit of Leadership and Success

Atlanta, GA, November 14, 2020 — Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students were among 168 volunteers at the “Stop Hunger One Community at a Time” mobile food drive held at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879 Glenwood Avenue, Atlanta. Students helped deliver over 1,000 Thanksgiving food baskets to local area residents.

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students and ambassadors volunteer at the "Stop the Hunger" mobile food drive in Atlanta, Georgia.

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students listen to Dr. Kenneth G. Torrence speak on success and community service.

“That’s what we’re all about [Eastlake Male Youth Initiative] … making you aware of the importance of giving back to the community,” said Dr. Kenneth G. Torrence, program director of Eastlake Male Youth Initiative. “That’s the only way we can turn our situation, our neighborhoods, around.”

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative provided volunteer assistance to The Greater Piney Grove Community Development, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., hosts of the event. In addition to actively participating in community outreach, EMYI students learned that community service is integral to success.

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students listen to Reverend Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr. speak on the biblical call to serve others.

“This is a great lesson for young men to learn early in your life: to serve, to help,” said Reverend Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr., Senior Pastor of The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. “God will bless and open doors so you can bless somebody else. Always remember that. A lot of these people I don’t know; they may never come to this church. But I pray that … they know that somebody loves them. Somebody cares … If you learn that early in your life, and you live that the rest of your life, you’ll be successful.”

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students volunteer at the "Stop the Hunger" mobile food drive in Atlanta, Georgia.

EMYI students, donning face masks and gloves to protect themselves and others amid the COVID-19 pandemic, helped with the assembly and delivery of food to visitors’ cars. Their efforts did not go unnoticed by local civic leaders attending the event. DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson remarked that he was thoroughly impressed with the students and was pleased to see firsthand EMYI in action. Support for Eastlake Male Youth Initiative is funded in part by a grant from DeKalb County Government.

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative students listen to Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond.

Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond told students, “Your learning to serve is greatly important. Some people have to be taught to love and care for their neighbors, and you all are doing it [at a young age]. So I appreciate what you are doing.”

Community engagement and service is one of four functional outcomes of the Eastlake Male Youth Initiative program. Students learn the importance of being active citizens who strive to make an impact in their families, schools and communities.

About Eastlake Male Youth Initiative

Eastlake Male Youth Initiative is a joint partnership between The Greater Piney Grove Community Development, Inc. (thegrovecdc-atl.org) and The Truth Teller Inc. (thetruthteller.org). The mission of EMYI is to inspire, empower and challenge African American male youth through a series of workshops, positive reinforcement and one-on-one mentoring. We seek to raise the trajectory of achievement for African American boys using the power of inspiration and imagination. To learn more or get involved with EMYI, please contact Dr. Kenneth G. Torrence at info@the-truth-teller.com.