Exceptional Grad Credits Self Determination, Local Organization for Success

SARASOTA, Fla. - May 23, 2014 - PRLog -- Every Thursday at 6 p.m., Sarasota High School senior Shawn Bane, 18, attends his favorite after-school activity. The star wide receiver is not outdoors playing football then; instead, he can be found at the Newtown-based mentoring group Brotherhood of Men, an organization that reaches out to students in need ages eight to 18 in Sarasota to help them maximize their potential for a brighter future.

“We get together and talk about our week, our grades and real life issues,” says Bane. “Our Brotherhood of Men mentors are called ‘Uncles’ and they teach us all kinds of life skills, like how to save and invest money, and encourage us to read and focus on our education. Sometimes we go on field trips to baseball games, hockey games or to the theater. It is a very important part of my week.”

Bane has been involved with the Brotherhood of Men since he was 13 years old. Previously a self-described A/B student, Bane found the motivation to excel beyond average through Brotherhood of Men.

“They made me want to get all A’s,” he said. “Back when I started, they gave me $100 when I got all A’s. They motivated me to want to succeed and get good grades so I could get out of Florida and see the world.”

Brotherhood of Men mentor and 21^st Century Oncology Board Certified Radiation Oncologist Dwight Fitch, M.D., or “Uncle Doc” as he is known by Bane, knows firsthand the value of mentors. Dr. Fitch grew up in troubled Detroit and credits teachers and mentors for encouraging him to further his education. He was the first in his family to go to college. When Dr. Fitch moved to Sarasota to begin his medical career, he was taken aback by the socioeconomic disadvantages of the Newtown area. Dr. Fitch learned about Brotherhood of Men in 2007 shortly after it was established and felt inspired to help.

“Parents may see their child’s potential, but see them going down the wrong path,” says Dr. Fitch. “They know their child can score high on a test but may be running into behavior issues and not reaching their potential, many related to their environment. These young men need a positive influence to counteract the negativity.”

Newtown native and founder of Brotherhood of Men, Dominic Harris, believes that it is his mission to help the young men of Newtown. The other mentors, ranging from retired Ford Motor company executives to Juvenile probation officers, also know the value of showing love and guidance to these young men.

“If just one member succeeds because of the lessons we’ve shared, this entire endeavor will be worth it 100 times over, even if no other person ever knows,” Harris says.

Bane will be graduating from Sarasota High School on May 30 and will be headed to Northwest Missouri State University on a football scholarship in the fall. But, he will never forget the family he has back home.

“It’s a connection – it’s a brotherhood. We all embrace each other like one big family.”

Brotherhood of Men Mentor Group sessions are held every Thursday at the Newtown Estates Recreation Center in Sarasota at 2350 Central Ave. Sarasota, FL 34234. All male youth ages eight and older that believe they can be strong, intelligent, responsible leaders of tomorrow, are invited to attend.

For more information about the Brotherhood of Men, visit: www.TheBrotherhoodofMen.com

About Brotherhood of Men:

The Brotherhood of Men is a mentoring group that creates an environment for young males (ages eight to 18) to become successful, productive members of the community. The goal is to provide friendship, mentorship, guidance and love to break the vicious cycle of crime, incarceration, failure and death that plagues many young males in low-income, disenfranchised communities. To instill in these young males a positive sense of self that will give them the confidence to believe that they can and will achieve. The mission is accomplished by having positive, productive and responsible men serve as mentors to these boys.

About 21^st Century Oncology:

21^st Century Oncology is the largest global, physician led provider of Integrated Cancer Care services. The company offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatment services, focused on delivering academic quality, cost-effective patient care in personal and convenient settings. The company operates 185 treatment centers, including 150 centers located in 16 states. The company also operates 35 centers located in six countries in Latin America. The company holds market-leading positions in most of its domestic local markets and abroad.